BJP TODAY

September 16--30, 2004 - Vol. 13, No. 18

Questions to super Prime Minister on Veer Savarkar issue
By our special correspondent

Congress leader Gulam Nzbi Azad says that Mani Shankar Aiyar's views on Savarkar were made in his "personal capacity". If so, will soniaji answer the following questions?

Azad's answer begs many questions. If the Congress says that whatever Shri Aiyar has said or did was in his "personal capacity", and affirms that the party does not agree with him-

1) Why did Congress president Smt. Sonia Gandhi write to President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on February 24, 2003 opposing his decision to attend the unveiling of Veer Savarkar in the Central Hall of Parliament and urging him to "reconsider" it? (It is worth noting that Rashtrapatiji disregarded Smt. Sonia Gandhi's plea and honoured Veer Savarkar in the Central Hall of Parliament.)

2) Why did she earlier write a letter to the then Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Manohar Joshi against the unveiling of Savarkar's portrait?

3) Why did Smt. Sonia Gandhi say in her letter that the Central Hall function, if graced by the President, would "give credibility" to the activities and "divisive policies" of Savarkar, and that "it will be a great tragedy if the Central Hall is utilised for installing the portrait of Savarkar"?

4) How is Smt. Sonia's stand on Savarkar different from Aiyar's?

5) Hasn't Shri Aiyar merely followed the example set by his party president?

6) Does the Congress party think that Smt. Sonia Gandhi's decision to oppose the unveiling of Savarkar's portrait in the Central Hall of Parliament was taken in her "personal capacity"?

7) If the Congress party today says that "we do not agree with him", is it ready to declare that "we do not agree with HER"?

Not only the Bharatiya Janata Party but the entire Nation would like to know the Congress party's answers to the above questions.

(From Booklet Swatantra Veer Savarkar, A by word for valour and patriotism, published by the BJP )