New Delhi: Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut on Monday voiced strong support for RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks on honouring freedom fighter Veer Savarkar with the Bharat Ratna, saying he stands “far above” the country’s highest civilian award.

Reacting to Bhagwat’s statement, Ranaut said every Indian shares the same sentiment. “I feel that Savarkar ji is far above even the Bharat Ratna, but if Bharat Ratna is given to him, it will be a matter of immense pride,” she said.

Bhagwat, speaking at a two-day lecture series on the RSS journey, said that while he is not part of the decision-making body, awarding the Bharat Ratna to Savarkar would only enhance the prestige of the award. “If Swatantra Veer Savarkar is given Bharat Ratna, the prestige of Bharat Ratna will increase. Even without that prestige, he has become the emperor of millions of hearts,” he added.

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar, was born on May 28, 1883, and was a poet, writer, and social reformer. He was incarcerated at the infamous Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by the British regime, where he endured immense hardship with unwavering resolve.

Savarkar was also a leading figure in the 'Hindu Mahasabha.' Savarkar started participating in the freedom movement while still a high school student and continued doing so while attending Fergusson College in Pune.

He got active with groups like India House and the Free India Society while studying law in the United Kingdom.He also published books that promoted revolutionary methods for achieving total Indian independence.

With agency inputs