Amid the controversy with the Congress party questioning promotion of Hindutva ideologue Savarkar by the ruling BJP government, former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Tuesday launched the ‘Veer Savarkar Rath Yatra’ in Mysuru, to create awareness about his “contributions and sacrifices”.
Yediyurappa, who visited Mysuru for the first time after being nominated to the BJP’s Parliamentary Board, launched the ‘Savarkar Rath Yatra’ from Kote Anjaneya temple on the premises of the Mysuru Palace. The eight-day-long rath yatra is being organised by the Savarkar Foundation.
“We will propagate the patriotism of Savarkar,” Yediyurappa said flagging off the event.
The Rath Yatra will traverse through Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts and gets ended on August 30.
Tensions flared up in several parts of Karnataka last week during Independence Day after Hindu right-wing groups put out cutouts and posters of Savarkar, with other groups objecting to it.
Savarkar remains a polarising figure, with many disputing his role in the Indian freedom struggle and condemning his advocacy of a “Hindu nation”.
(With inputs)
