THE arrogant statement by Mr. Rahul Gandhi that he was not a ‘Savarkar’ to tender apology in a defamation case in a Surat court is still hurting countless crores of common people. A strong wave of antagonism is rising against the Congress leader and disqualified Member of Parliament, which can result into a near-total finish of Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s career as a politician. That sentiment may even lead to a massive reduction in the numbers of seats the Congress party may command after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It is obvious that Mr. Rahul Gandhi is pathologically against Swatantryaveer Savarkar. He does not miss a single opportunity to hit at the great son of Mother India with no respect for truth or details of the iconic life of the super-patriot. In other words, it can be said that Mr. Rahul Gandhi makes anti-Savarkar statements habitually and intentionally -- to god-knows-what purpose. The Congress party also follows in the footprint of Mr. Rahul Gandhi and heaps senseless criticism on Swatantryaveer Savarkar.

But this habit of senseless criticism of Veer Savarkar is found among many other political parties and their leaders. There still are many political leaders and their respective organisations that still link Veer Savarkar with Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination -- despite the fact that all judicial processes have exonerated Veer Savarkar of the charge of his complicity in the most unfortunate assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Similar is the case with the so-called amnesty petition by Veer Savarkar. While the whole nation does not pay any heed to such criticism, some sections of the political community in India still believe that the great patriot sought amnesty by writing letters of apology to the British authorities. Historical details, however, do not suggest anything of that sort. Yet, the criticism that Veer Savarkar has tendered apologies for his participation in freedom struggle has continued in the most disrespectful manner.

The most stupid part of all this is that those who make all sorts of charges against Swatantryaveer Savarkar suggest a link between the great patriot and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in general and Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi in particular. This total disregard to truth of history is actually very damning for Indian pride. Yet, many among the political Opposition believe that by making all such charges they would dent the image of the Prime Minister.

The stupidity and hollowness of such a thinking is obvious to the common people. Yet, Mr. Rahul Gandhi has not stopped his obstinate ways of dealing with the issue. The statement that he was not a ‘Savarkar’ to apologise, therefore, was treated by common people most negatively -- for Mr. Rahul Gandhi and for the Congress party. The statement also evoked a lot of criticism for Mr. Rahul Gandhi from people because all of them had seen his tendering unconditional apologies to the honourable Supreme Court as well not too far back in the past. People also remember a few other occasions when Mr. Gandhi had got caught in such a bind.

In spite of this, Mr. Rahul Gandhi does not seem to realise the folly he is indulging in habitually. That means, he is either an idiot, or he is a smart operator with a definite agenda whose purpose common people may never understand. That there could be a specific agenda beyond popular comprehension had come to fore during the passage of Mr. Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra through Maharashtra, when he raised the issue of Veer Savarkar’s amnesty petition issue with specific purpose of insulting the great patriot, litterateur, and social reformer.