BJP’s Fadnavis wonders why Savarkar's name isn't mentioned in the Marathi Literary Conference.

As the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections 2022, approach fresh attacks from the opposition to the ruling can be noticed. The name of liberation hero Vinayak Damodar Savarkar is "missing" from the ongoing annual Marathi literary convention in Nashik, according to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis. 

 

Some people wanted a pandal named after Savarkar during the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, which is being hosted at Bhujbal Knowledge City. This year's meet is being organized by Maharashtra Minister and NCP politician Chhagan Bhujbal.

The location, however, was given the name 'Kusumagraj Nagari' in honour of late Marathi poet V V Shirwadkar, who won the Jnanpith prize. Under the pen name Kusumagraj, he composed poetry.

 

Fadnavis told journalists that Savarkar had presided over the Marathi literary meet and the Marathi theatre conference, as well as being the president of the Marathi Patrakar Sangh, a journalist's organization. He went on to say that the organizers had insulted him and his supporters.

 

"We see Savarkar as a hero. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, he was imprisoned as a heroic freedom fighter. He was a renowned poet, wrestler, grammarian, and historian." "We have enormous esteem for Kusumagraj," Fadnavis remarked, assuring that the BJP was not against him. However, they chose the name Kusumagraj since they did not want Savarkar. They have weakened both Savarkar and Kusumagraj by doing so." "Savarkar is our idol, and why should we bother going there if our idols aren't respected?" He went on to say, "We chose not to attend the literary festival."

 

 

Image Courtesy: Twitter @Dev_Fadnavis