Bengaluru: On Friday, BJP legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal responded to Karnataka Cabinet Minister Priyank Kharge’s statement suggesting the removal of Veer Savarkar‘s photo from the assembly hall of Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi. Yatnal warned that if Savarkar’s photo is removed, then the picture of the late former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru would also be taken down.
Asserting that it is not possible to remove Veer Savarkar’s photo, Yatnal stated, “If any attempt is being made to take off the photo of Veer Savarkar, and Nehru’s photo is installed, we will take off Nehru’s photo.”
Yatnal emphasized the BJP’s stance, citing Congress MLA Basavaraj Rayareddi’s suggestion that no photos of great personalities should be removed. He mentioned that the photos of former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nehru, along with other eminent figures, should be installed without removal.
In addressing Priyank Kharge’s mention of Tipu Sultan, Yatnal criticized Congress leaders for praising Tipu Sultan, asserting that Tipu Sultan massacred lakhs of Hindus and destroyed thousands of Hindu temples. Yatnal questioned the morality of Minister Priyank Kharge for advocating the naming of Mysuru Airport after Tipu Sultan, despite historical controversies surrounding the ruler.
