Govt's 'Orwellian' poster featuring Savarkar above Gandhi, Bhagat Singh triggers row on Independence Day

New Delhi: An Independence Day poster by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas with the image of contentious Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar prominently above Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose triggered a controversy with the Opposition claiming that it was glorifying a person accused in the assassination of the Father of the Nation.

The image posted by the Ministry on 'X' had the photographs of the Mahatma, Bose, Singh and Savarkar, Red Fort, tricolor and the Ashoka Chakra in the background, wishing "Happy Independence Day".

Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said it was an “Orwellian image, elevating a British mercy petitioner like Savarkar over Gandhi-ji - the undisputed Mahatma who got us freedom, and completely eliminating” Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhai Patel and it shows “contempt for our freedom fighters”.

“Every Independence Day, the Modi-led BJP makes it a point to distort history and make heroes out of traitors…What else can one except from those whose forefathers collaborated with the British to sow the seeds of division and hatred that haunts us to this very day?" he said on 'X'.

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha floor leader John Brittas said the “deliberate elevation” of Savarkar over Mahatma Gandhi is "not a coincidence but a calculated act".

He said the government’s actions undermine the nation’s commitment to its secular Constitution and it was pertinent to note that Savarkar was an accused in Gandhi’s assassination, though acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

"However, the Kapur Commission highlighted circumstantial evidence implicating Savarkar. Those who uphold the Constitution should unequivocally condemn this mockery of justice and secular values," he said.

Congress Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera said the ruling BJP was now “glorifying” the Mahatma’s killer as if assassinating him was not enough. “This, according to (Petroleum Minister) Hardeep S Puri, is the spirit of independence day -- unity between the killer and the killed,” he said.

He also said, "while mixing ethanol in petrol, now you've started mixing impurities even in freedom fighters. Those who couldn't become great in history, you're making them big on posters. The country is asking you for cheaper oil, not cheap comedy."

Senior Congress MP and Lok Sabha Whip Manickam Tagore said no matter how hard Prime Minister Narendra Modi tries, he cannot push the Mahatma, Bose and Bhagat Singh below "maafiveer" (the person who apologised).

"Don’t disgrace the martyrs who fought and died for freedom by glorifying those who begged the British with apology letters," he said.