Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a strong response in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday during the ongoing Constitution debate, hitting back at a Congress leader’s remarks on Veer Savarkar. Shah’s comments were directed at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who had criticized the BJP’s stance on the Constitution and, in particular, had referred to Savarkar in a controversial context.
In his address, Shah clarified that the title of “Veer” (brave) was not conferred upon Savarkar by any political party or government but was earned through the admiration of 140 crore Indians for his courage and sacrifices. This response came in the wake of Rahul Gandhi’s statement on December 14, where he questioned the BJP’s stance on defending the Constitution, suggesting that their support for it was an attempt to undermine Savarkar’s legacy.
Rahul Gandhi had also quoted Savarkar’s controversial views on the Constitution, specifically his criticism of it, and his admiration for Manusmriti. In a remark to the BJP, Gandhi had asked if they supported Savarkar’s words, implying that defending the Constitution while honoring Savarkar was contradictory.
In his rebuttal, Shah pointed out the unparalleled sacrifices made by Veer Savarkar, especially his imprisonment in the Andaman Cellular Jail. He emphasized that no one else, during the freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947, had endured two life sentences, highlighting the extraordinary sacrifices of Savarkar and his family. Shah described how Savarkar’s brother and he both suffered in the infamous “kaala paani” (Cellular Jail) for ten years without even seeing each other.
Shah further questioned whether patriotism could be reduced to a specific ideology or religion, urging the nation to reflect on the lengths to which public discourse had sunk. He also cited former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s acknowledgment of Savarkar’s contributions to India’s freedom struggle, quoting her praise for his courage and patriotism.
In 1966, Indira Gandhi had called Savarkar a “great man” whose resistance to British rule became symbolic of India’s fight for freedom. Shah quoted this to urge Congress to consider even the words of their own former leader in recognizing Savarkar’s contribution.
Shah’s address concluded the Constitution debate in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, marking a sharp political exchange between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress over historical legacies and national identity.
