“I am saddened by the controversy over Veer Savarkar. He was a prominent freedom fighter in our country. Former prime minister Indira Gandhi had called him the remarkable son of India,” said former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa who flagged off the "Savarkar Ratha Yatra" from Kote Anjaneya Swamy temple premises in Mysuru on Tuesday.
The 30-km-long yatra, which is expected to cover four Assembly constituencies in Mysuru (Narasimharaja, Chamundeshwari, Chamaraja and Krishnaraja), the hometurf of former chief minister and CLP leader Siddaramaiah, is said to be a counter to his remarks against the Hindutva idealogue.
Last week, Siddaramaiah, while addressing the party workers, had asked why Savarkar was being honoured as a freedom fighter.
Referring to the recent communal tension in Shivamogga over Savarkar's banner being put up at Ameer Ahmed Circle on the Independence Day, Siddaramaiah had said, "Why did they put up Savarakar’s photo in a Muslim area and remove Tipu Sultan’s portrait?"
This remark had triggered protests from right-wing activists, who threw eggs at Siddaramaiah's car at Kodagu and flaunted black flags at Kodagu and Chikmagaluru.
"People who have little idea about the nation or religion make irresponsible statements," said Yediyurappa targeting Siddaramaiah for criticising Savarkar.
"His (Siddaramaiah) remarks do not augur well for someone of his stature. If he continues to criticise Savarkar, the people of the state will teach him a lesson. This yatra is to familiarise the common man with Savarkar's legacy and his patriotism," said Yediyurappa.
The BJP leader also kickstarted the 2023 election campaign with the yatra, days after he was inducted into the party's parliamentary board and the central election committee.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Congress called off its "Madikeri chalo" rally scheduled on August 26 to protest against the egg attack on Siddaramaiah, after the Kodagu district administration imposed prohibitory orders in the area for four days (till August 28).
"As the leader of the opposition, I don't want to defy the orders of the government. We have decided to postpone the rally after discussing within the party,” Siddaramaiah said.