Congress leader and Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao ignited controversy with his remarks on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, alleging that Savarkar, a prominent Hindu nationalist figure, was non-vegetarian, consumed beef, and did not oppose cow slaughter. The comments were made during an event in Bengaluru organized to mark Gandhi Jayanti.
Savarkar as a ‘Modernist’
Rao claimed that Savarkar, despite being a Brahmin, did not follow traditional dietary restrictions. “Savarkar was a Brahmin, but he ate beef and was a non-vegetarian. He did not oppose cow slaughter; in fact, he was quite a modernist on that topic,” the Congress minister said. He also contrasted Savarkar’s views with those of Mahatma Gandhi, whom he described as a strict vegetarian with a conservative yet democratic approach to Hindu culture.
Comparison Between Gandhi and Savarkar
Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasized the ideological differences between Gandhi and Savarkar, stating that Gandhi represented inclusivity and tolerance, while Savarkar’s ideology was inclined towards fundamentalism. Rao further remarked, “Gandhi was a democratic person in his approach, unlike Savarkar who leaned towards fundamentalism.”
The Congress minister also mentioned Muhammad Ali Jinnah, claiming that Jinnah, although a prominent Muslim leader, was never a hardcore Islamist and reportedly consumed pork. Rao contrasted Jinnah’s secular image with Savarkar’s, stating, “Jinnah became an icon for Muslims, but he was never a fundamentalist, unlike Savarkar.”
Reacting to Rao’s statements, BJP leader R Ashok accused the Congress of targeting Hindus. He criticized the party’s preference for figures like Tipu Sultan and questioned why the Congress always directed criticism toward Hindu leaders. “Every Hindu will teach them a lesson,” Ashok warned.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also condemned the Congress and accused the party of spreading a false narrative about Savarkar. He asserted that Rahul Gandhi initiated the campaign to defame Savarkar and that other Congress members were merely continuing that rhetoric. Fadnavis added, “Savarkar ji has expressed his views on cows very well. He said the cow helps the farmer from birth till death, which is why we have given the cow the status of a god.”
The controversy follows recent legal action against Rahul Gandhi, who was summoned by a court in Maharashtra’s Nashik district in a defamation case. The case relates to Gandhi’s alleged remarks accusing Savarkar of collaborating with the British government during India’s freedom struggle, a statement that the complainant claimed was defamatory.
