Thane: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday led the 'Savarkar Gaurav Yatra' in his hometown Thane in which several thousand people took part to honour late Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar.
The BJP and Shinde-led Shiv Sena had last month announced Savarkar Gaurav Yatras in each district of the state to acknowledge Savarkar's contribution to the country.
The decision came in the wake of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's criticism of Savarkar.
Senior BJP leaders join Yatra
The Yatra started from the Gadakari Rangayatan auditorium in Thane city where thousands of participants wearing saffron caps with 'Mi Savarkar' (I am Savarkar) and other messages written on them. They paid floral homage to their leader.
A tableau displaying information related to Savarkar was also part of the yatra. The participants moved around Thane city on 20 motorbikes and around 100 auto-rickshaws raising slogans.
BJP leader Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Thane MLA Sanjay Kelkar, Thane BJP chief and MLC Niranjan Davkhare, former mayor Naresh Mhaske, Shiv-Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik and many other local leaders of the ruling coalition participated in the yatra.
Eknath Shinde slammed Rahul Gandhi for his Savarkar remarks
Addressing a gathering, Shinde slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his repeated attacks on Savarkar and said insults to freedom fighters was akin to insulting the nation. “We have noticed citizens expressing disappointment over some people consistently insulting Savarkar. An insult of Savarkar is the insult of every Indian. I openly condemn people like Rahul Gandhi for his tirade against Savarkar. I dare anyone to live a day in the Cellular Jail the way Savarkar was jailed,” Shinde said.
