Maharashtra government will name the upcoming Bandra-Versova sea link in the western part of Mumbai after Hindutva ideologue late VD Savarkar, chief minister Eknath Shinde announced on Sunday.
The state government will also set up Swatantryaveer Savarkar gallantry awards, the CM said.
“The upcoming Bandra-Versova sealink will be named after Swatantryaveer Savarkar. On the lines of the Union government's gallantry awards, the Maharashtra government will also set up Swatantryaveer Savarkar gallantry awards,” Shinde said in New Delhi on Savarkar’s birth anniversary.
Savarkar’s critics know if his thoughts become popular in society, they will have to shut their shop, said Shinde.
“The critics of Savarkar know if his thoughts become popular in society, they will have to shut shop. Imagine how terrified they are that they oppose Savarkar even after 57 years of his death,” he said.
“There have been deliberate and consistent attempts to malign the image of Savarkar by some for their selfish gains. It is unfortunate even after 57 years of his death, some people fail to understand him. It angers me to see some people deliberately try to malign his image,” Shinde said.
Savarkar was born in Nashik district on May 28, 1883 and died on February 26, 1966.
It was the first time Savarkar's birth anniversary was being celebrated in the state government-constructed Maharashtra Sadan there, he said.
Praising the move, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis thanked Shinde and said he had made such a request in a letter sent to the latter on March 16 this year.
Maharashtra governor Ramesh Bais inaugurated an exhibition on the life of Savarkar and hailed the latter for opposing caste-based discrimination and terming untouchability as a blot on the country.
(With inputs from agencies)
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