Nationalism as the root of nation-building: PM Modi invokes Savarkar in campaign speech

Speaking at a rally at Akola, Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar, a day after the Maharashtra BJP manifesto proposed a Bharat Ratna. "This is Veer Savarkar's idea that nationalism be kept the root of nation-building," PM Modi said, reported ANI. 

With the Maharashtra and Haryana elections just around the corner, the Maharashtra BJP had proposed in its manifesto that Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award, be conferred to Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar, along with social reformers like Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Savitribhai Phule. 

Hitting out at the BJP after the manifesto announcment, the Congress on Tuesday said that if the government considers it on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, then "God save this country". Savarkar had faced criminal trial in the murder of Mahatma Gandhi, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said, adding that he was later acquitted.

In September, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had made the same remark. He said Pakistan would not have come into existence had Savarkar been the country's prime minister at the time, and demanded that he be awarded the Bharat Ratna. "Savarkar must be awarded the Bharat Ratna. We don't deny the work done by Gandhi and Nehru, but the country saw more than two families being born on the political scene," Thackeray said. "I'd have called Nehru as Veer (brave) if he had survived jail for 14 minutes against Savarkar who stayed in prison for 14 long years." 

In Haryana, on Tuesday, Modi slammed the Congress over its stand on Article 370 and the Rafale deal, accusing its leaders of bad-mouthing India and showing negativity on matters that bring joy to the people of the country.

Addressing an election meeting in Charkhi Dadri, he charged that Congress leaders are spreading rumours in India and abroad over the abrogation of special status for Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.

He urged people of Haryana to punish the Congress for this on October 21, the polling day. At another rally at Thanesar near Kurukshetra, he said, The situation is such that those behind spreading terror are targeting India by using their statements. Elections come and go and but the interest of the nation is supreme, he said.

Modi said national security, national interest and the Constitution are paramount for the Bharatiya Janata Party. At the meetings, he also accused the previous Congress governments in the state and at the Centre of corruption, indirectly referring to opposition leaders who now face investigations or are in jail.

-Inputs from PTI