‘Don't provoke us’: BJP warns Muslim League over Savarkar row

Thiruvananthapuram: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issued a stern warning on Monday to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) against "provoking" the party amid the ongoing political row over a teacher's suspension regarding a question on V D Savarkar prepared for a quiz competition.

Concurrently, the party targeted the Congress over its stance on singing the complete national song, stating, "If that is the case, let them sing the Italian national anthem."

Warning to Muslim League over Savarkar narrative

Addressing reporters at Thiruvallam near Thiruvananthapuram, BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar asserted that his party would not remain silent if the Muslim League, a key ally in the ruling UDF coalition whose Minister handles the General Education portfolio, attempted to revive what he described as an old practice of shaping a selective narrative.

“Don't provoke us,” he stated, warning that the Muslim League should refrain from meddling in matters concerning Savarkar, whom he characterised as “an important part of India's freedom struggle".

His remarks followed a statement by Muslim League leader and Kerala General Education Minister N Samsudheen, who announced that further disciplinary measures would be taken against additional educators if they were found responsible for incorporating a controversial quiz question describing Hindutva ideologue Savarkar as the freedom fighter “who received the maximum punishment at the hands of the British”. 

Chandrasekhar firmly rejected this stance, stating, “Muslim League should not do any of this”.

“Veer Savarkar is an important part of India's freedom struggle. If you do not like him, you do not like him,” he added, alleging that Congress-led administrations had historically pushed figures like Subhas Chandra Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Sardar Patel to the margins of historical narratives.

Barbs over Vande Mataram controversy

Turning his focus to the debate surrounding Vande Mataram, Chandrasekhar slammed Congress leaders after Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan and Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan voiced opposition to rendering the complete version of the national song.

Pointing out that both the national anthem and national song were officially designated during Congress tenure, he questioned, “Then why are the Congress people saying today that we will not sing this stanza, we will not sing that stanza?”

Emphasising that national symbols should not be manipulated for party expediency, Chandrasekhar said, “We Indians, the Indians who are citizens of India, will sing it in full, and we will sing the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, in full.”

Taking a sharp personal dig at the Congress leadership, he suggested that if the party had objections, he could arrange to send a copy of Italy’s national anthem to its leaders, adding, “If that is the case, let them sing the Italian national anthem.”

He also extended his critique to the CPM-led LDF's stance against singing the full version, stating, “Then let them sing some German song of Karl Marx.”

Chandrasekhar further called out Muslim League Ministers in the State Cabinet over their delayed visits to the residences of fishermen reported missing off the coasts of Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.

“You should do the responsibility that has been entrusted to you. The people gave you votes and put you in power. When you are governing, you should take up your responsibilities and do what needs to be done,” he noted.

Addressing the recent arrest of right-wing commentator T G Mohandas, who was taken into custody from his Mattancherry home in Kochi over a YouTube video, Chandrasekhar clarified the BJP's position, asserting that if the alleged statements were genuine, the party did not endorse them.

“The BJP is a political party that believes 100 per cent in women's safety and children's safety. We believe that the people's right to liberty and right to life, which are part of Article 21 of the Constitution, should be ensured without any lapse or dilution,” he affirmed.

However, he strongly condemned the manner and timing of the police action, alleging that the late-night arrest served as a political tactic to divert public attention from missing fishermen and governance failures.

“Somehow, something has to be done to divert the people's attention-that is the issue,” Chandrasekhar said, adding, “If you are going to arrest him like this and bully him, and do it in a double-standard manner, we are opposed to that.”

 

PTI