Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said Veer Savarkar was a nuke bomb for the British and had a good rapport with Babasaheb Ambedkar as they strived hard for unifying Hindus through eradication of untouchability.
"Savarkar was a thorn in the flesh for the British. He was a revolutionary among the freedom fighters. He was a real nuclear bomb for the British. That is why the British kept him away from the people of this country and sentenced him to Kalapani (Cellular Jail in Andaman)," he said here on Saturday.
He made these remarks at the release of a book titled 'Veer Savarkar The Man Who Could Have Prevented Partition' published by Nilume Pratishtana.
"Savarkar also had a good relationship with Babasaheb Ambedkar. Both the leaders articulated the view that unity in the Hindu community could be achieved only through eradication of untouchability. Untouchability is an impediment for unity of the country," Bommai added.
Talking about the book, the chief minister said it is one of the most relevant books in the present political context and throws light on how Savarkar tried to take the Indian culture towards oneness, he added.
"Partition had a huge impact on our country. No one has analyzed its impact. Our culture has been divided. Veer Savarkar tried to take our culture towards oneness. It is our duty to realize his undivided Hindu culture," Bommai said.
Savarkar showed that it is possible to awaken the Hindu conscience even in the era of globalization and privatization through Indian values and culture, he said.
BJP National General Secretary (Organization) BL Santosh, Adichunchanagiri Mutt Seer Sri Nirmalananda Swamy, MLA N Mahesh and office bearers of Nilume Pratishtana were present on the occasion. (UNI)