Opposition slams Union govt for featuring Savarkar in Independence Day post
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas triggered a controversy on August 15, with its Independence Day celebration social media post featuring Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar prominently while conspicuously leaving out India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. And though the post featured Mahatma Gandhi, his image size was smaller compared to Savarkar’s. VD Savarkar was an accused in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and was acquitted because of the lack of evidence.Sharing the Independence Day post on X, the Ministry captioned it: “As we celebrate our nation’s independence, let’s remember — liberty thrives when we nurture it every day, through unity, empathy, and action.”Along with Savarkar and Gandhi, the post also contained images of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh and Subash Chandra Bose. The post which highlighted Savarkar was criticised by many, including Congress and CPI(M) leaders. In his book Essentials of Hindutva (1925), Savarkar wrote that Muslims and Christians are alien to this land, framing them as descendants of foreign invaders. “The deliberate elevation of VD Savarkar over Mahatma Gandhi is not a coincidence but a calculated act,” said Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP John Brittas.The deliberate elevation of V.D. Savarkar over Mahatma 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… pic.twitter.com/hSZ6mpkW4G— John Brittas (@JohnBrittas) August 15, 2025 He said that 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. However, the Kapur Commission highlighted circumstantial evidence implicating Savarkar. Those who uphold the constitution should unequivocally condemn this mockery of justice and secular values,” the CPI(M) MP said.Similarly, Congress MP Jothimani said that placing Savarkar alongside Gandhi, Bhagat Singh and Subash Chandra Bose on Independence Day was “no accident.”Denouncing the portrayal of Savarkar as a freedom fighter, she said, “True patriots faced bullets and prison for freedom, while Savarkar wrote mercy petitions to the British. This deliberate distortion of history is a disgrace, an affront to the freedom struggle, and must be unequivocally condemned by all who value our secular Constitution.”Placing Savarkar alongside Gandhi, Bhagat Singh & Bose on Independence Day is no accident. True patriots faced bullets and prison for freedom, while Savarkar wrote mercy petitions to the British. This deliberate distortion of history is a disgrace, an affront to the freedom… pic.twitter.com/hfyx0RTolM— Jothimani (@jothims) August 15, 2025 Like mixing Ethanol in Petrol, this time @PetroleumMin chose to mix poisonous Methyl Alcohol (Methanol) with positive energy–generating people like Mahatma Gandhi, Subash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh.This cocktail will explode on your face @HardeepSPuri @PetroleumMin https://t.co/g1SvExtWc4— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) August 15, 2025 As if killing Gandhi was not enough, now they glorify his killer. This, according to @HardeepSPuri is the spirit of independence day - unity between the killer and the killed. https://t.co/LxHfgE48jY— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) August 15, 2025 Congress working committee member Pawan Khera also joined in criticising Union Minister for Petroleum Hardeep Puri for glorifying Gandhi’s ‘killer’. “As if killing Gandhi was not enough, now they glorify his killer. This, according to @HardeepSPuri is the spirit of independence day - unity between the killer and the killed.”
THE Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas triggered a controversy on August 15, with its Independence Day celebration social media post featuring Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar prominently while conspicuously leaving out India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. And though the post featured Mahatma Gandhi, his image size was smaller compared to Savarkar’s.
VD Savarkar was an accused in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and was acquitted because of the lack of evidence.
Sharing the Independence Day post on X, the ministry captioned it: “As we celebrate our nation’s independence, let’s remember — liberty thrives when we nurture it every day, through unity, empathy, and action.”
Along with Savarkar and Gandhi, the post also contained images of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh and Subash Chandra Bose. The post which highlighted Savarkar was criticised by many, including Congress and CPI(M) leaders.
In his book Essentials of Hindutva (1925), Savarkar wrote that Muslims and Christians are alien to this land, framing them as descendants of foreign invaders.
“The deliberate elevation of VD Savarkar over Mahatma Gandhi is not a coincidence but a calculated act,” said Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP John Brittas.
The deliberate elevation of V.D. Savarkar over Mahatma 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… pic.twitter.com/hSZ6mpkW4G
— John Brittas (@JohnBrittas) August 15, 2025
He said that 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. However, the Kapur Commission highlighted circumstantial evidence implicating Savarkar. Those who uphold the constitution should unequivocally condemn this mockery of justice and secular values,” the CPI(M) MP said.
Similarly, Congress MP Jothimani said that placing Savarkar alongside Gandhi, Bhagat Singh and Subash Chandra Bose on Independence Day was “no accident.”
Denouncing the portrayal of Savarkar as a freedom fighter, she said, “True patriots faced bullets and prison for freedom, while Savarkar wrote mercy petitions to the British. This deliberate distortion of history is a disgrace, an affront to the freedom struggle, and must be unequivocally condemned by all who value our secular Constitution.”
Placing Savarkar alongside Gandhi, Bhagat Singh & Bose on Independence Day is no accident. True patriots faced bullets and prison for freedom, while Savarkar wrote mercy petitions to the British. This deliberate distortion of history is a disgrace, an affront to the freedom… pic.twitter.com/hfyx0RTolM
— Jothimani (@jothims) August 15, 2025 Like mixing Ethanol in Petrol, this time @PetroleumMin chose to mix poisonous Methyl Alcohol (Methanol) with positive energy–generating people like Mahatma Gandhi, Subash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh. As if killing Gandhi was not enough, now they glorify his killer. This, according to @HardeepSPuri is the spirit of Independence Day - unity between the killer and the killed. https://t.co/LxHfgE48jY
— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) August 15, 2025
This cocktail will explode on your face @HardeepSPuri @PetroleumMin https://t.co/g1SvExtWc4
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) August 15, 2025
Congress working committee member Pawan Khera also joined in criticising Union Minister for Petroleum Hardeep Puri for glorifying Gandhi’s ‘killer’.
“As if killing Gandhi was not enough, now they glorify his killer. This, according to @HardeepSPuri is the spirit of Independence Day - unity between the killer and the killed.”
