Shiv Sena Slams BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde's Remarks Against Gandhiji

The Shiv Sena targeted the BJP again by lashing out at MP Anantkumar Hegde for his remarks against Mahatma Gandhi. In his weekly column in Saamna, Sena Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Raut, criticised the BJP MP for his provocative comments and observed that while Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the creator of Pakistan, was resting in peace in Pakistan, ironically, Mahatma Gandhi was constantly being vilified by BJP leaders.

Even Gandhiji's critics admitted to his immense contribution to the freedom struggle, Raut said. He added in a tongue-in-cheek remark that even someone like Gandhiji's assassin, Nathuram Godse, touched the Mahatma's feet before shooting him.

Sena MP, Sanjay Raut, attacked the BJP for blaming Gandhiji for Partition. He said that the BJP should go ahead and conquer Pakistan to realise its dream of 'Akhand Bharat' (undivided India or pre-Partition times).

Last week, BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde, sparked off a controversy by remarking that the freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi was a mere drama. He wondered how some people to be called 'Mahatma' and how they claimed to have won freedom for the country without facing a single baton.

The BJP leadership promptly distanced itself from his comments. It was also reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was upset with them. The party asked the motormouth MP to apologise, but Hegde denied having taken the name of Mahatma Gandhi.

Anantkumar Hegde's controversial words also led to an uproar in Parliament on Tuesday. The Opposition called for an explanation from PM Modi on the issue.