BJP leader BL Santhosh challenges Congress on ‘dog in freedom struggle’ remark

Mysuru: BJP General Secretary (Organising) B L Santhosh challenged the Congress leaders, to tell whose dog has participated in the Freedom Struggle. He was responding to the comments of a few Congress leaders, who had said that not even the dogs of the houses of the BJP leaders had participated in the Freedom Struggle.

He was delivering a talk on ‘Indian Army in the Vision of Savarkar and Operation Sindhoor’ in an event organised by Savarkar Pratishtana Mysuru at Karnataka Kalamandira, on Hunsur Road, in Mysuru, on Tuesday. It can be noted that Santhosh was a ‘Pracharak’ of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Mysuru during his youth and he has grassroots-level contacts in the region.

Jan Sangh founder

Santhosh asked, “How could the members of the party, which was formed after Independence take part in the Freedom Struggle? Akhil Bharatiya Jana Sangh was formed in 1951 and the BJP was formed in 1981. But, the Jan Sangh was formed by Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who was also a Congress leader and Freedom Fighter. Mookerjee formed the Jan Sangh as he was disillusioned by the Congress’ functioning. Similarly, most members of the RSS, who were adults before 1947, including its founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar were Congress leaders. In fact, Dr Hedgewar gave up his post of Sarsanghchalak twice, to participate in the Sathyagraha, following which he was imprisoned”.

“The Congress and Left parties and organisations have swept inconvenient truths under the carpet, as they did not even have the capacity to digest the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters like Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. But, from time to time the sacrifice stories of such freedom fighters pop up, as the truth cannot be concealed forever. Besides those who acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifices of freedom fighters, the ‘virodh bhakti’ (hatred) of a few people like Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also help in creating curiosity about them, leading to realisation of truth by study and research by the ignorant. So, we should also thank detractors like Siddaramaiah,” Santhosh said.

BJP General Secretary (Organising) B L Santhosh inaugurates the event before his speech on ‘Indian Army in the Vision of Savarkar and Operation Sindhoor’ in Mysuru, on Tuesday. Dr N Chandrashekar of Adithya Adhikari Hospital and Savarkar Pratishtana president and architect S Yashaswini are seen.

Detractors help

Recalling the criticism of Savarkar as ‘Recruit Veer‘ by the Congress, Santhosh said, he was a leader with foresight. “When the British opened the entry to the Army for all castes (martial and non-martial), Savarkar encouraged the youth of all Hindu communities to join the Army. He wanted the youth to take up arms as soldiers and prepare to protect the nation when it becomes Independent. Following his efforts, by 1947, the Army had 70% Hindu soldiers,” he said.

“As Prime Minister Narendra Modi followed the principles of Savarkar in defence and intelligence, the past 11 years have been remarkable in protecting our sovereignty. After the 1948, 1965 and 1972 disasters, we have celebrated multiple victories, including Operation Sindoor, over the past 11 years,” he said.

Dr N Chandrashekar of Adithya Adhikari Hospital and Savarkar Prathistana president and architect S Yashaswini were present at the event.