Opposition hits out at Oil Ministry's poster featuring Savarkar and Gandhi
Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal said it is yet another attempt to 'distort' history and make heroes out of 'traitors'.
In a post on X, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas posted a picture featuring the faces of Savarkar, Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh with the caption — 'Freedom was their gift, shaping the future is our mission'.
'As we celebrate our nation's independence, let's remember — liberty thrives when we nurture it every day, through unity, empathy, and action. Happy Independence Day,' the Ministry said.
Hitting out at the government, Mr. Venugopal said: 'Every Independence Day, the Modi-led BJP makes it a point to distort history and make heroes out of traitors. This Orwellian image, elevating a British mercy petitioner like Savarkar over Gandhi ji - the undisputed Mahatma who got us freedom, and completely eliminating Pandit Nehru and Sardar Patel ji, shows their contempt for our freedom fighters.'
'What else can one expect from those whose forefathers collaborated with the British to sow the seeds of division and hatred that haunts us to this very day?' he said.
Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera also in a post in Hindi said: 'While mixing ethanol in petrol, now you've started mixing impurities even in freedom fighters. Those who couldn't become great in history, you're making them big on posters. The country is asking you for cheaper oil, not cheap comedy.'
CPI(M) MP John Brittas also slammed the Oil Ministry's post. 'The deliberate elevation of Savarkar over Gandhi is not a coincidence but a calculated act. The government's actions undermine the nation's commitment to its secular Constitution. It is pertinent to note that Savarkar was an accused in Gandhi's assassination, though acquitted due to insufficient evidence,' Mr. Brittas said in a post on X.
The BJP hit back at the Congress, with BJP general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh responding to Mr. Khera's post saying: 'Sick brigade to the core...Veer Savarkar lived and died for the country.'
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