Veer Savarkar's photo unveiled at Assembly Hall of Suvarna Soudha

Belagavi: Amid Congress’s opposition, a portrait of freedom fighter V D Savarkar was unveiled at the Assembly Hall of the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Monday, December 19.

Savarkar’s portrait was among pictures of seven freedom fighters that were installed in the Assembly hall. The ceremony was carried out in the absence of Congress leaders and legislators.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Speaker Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri, Law Minister J. Madhuswamy and Minister for Water Resources Govind Karjol, and others were present on the occasion.

IANS quoted sources saying that all four doors of the Assembly were closed during the unveiling ceremony to avoid any eventualities.

BJP MLC N. Ravikumar objected to the Congress opposition saying, “The freedom struggle was not only carried out by the Congress leaders and Nehru.”

Veer Savarkar inspired a whole generation of revolutionaries in the country. If not in the Legislative Assembly, Parliament, and public places, where else would his picture be installed? Ravikumar questioned.

“Let alone Vidhana Soudha, we will not allow his photo to come up anywhere,” he asserted.

Reacting to Congress State President D.K. Shivakumar’s statement that there is no connection between Veer Savarkar and Karnataka, BJP MLA K.S. Eshwarappa questioned the connection between Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Karnataka.

On Congress statement that if Veer Savarkar’s portrait is installed, they will get the photo of Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan installed in the Assembly, Ravikumar said, “Tipu Sultan was a fanatic, destroyer of temples. He attempted to replace Kannada by Persian language, he is against the principles of Kempe Gowda (Bengaluru founder) and Kuvempu (celebrated litterateur).

The issue of installation of Savarkar’s portrait is likely to result in a rocky winter session.

Congress stages protest

Karnataka unit of Congress earlier on Monday staged a protest against the state BJP’s decision to install a picture of the controversial freedom fighter Veer Savarkar in the Legislative Assembly at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha here.

Condemning the proposed move of installing Savarkar’s picture right behind the Speakers’ Chair, senior Congress MLAs, including the Opposition leader of Siddaramaiah, state party President D.K. Shivakumar staged a protest in the Assembly.

In a letter, Siddramaiah had urged Speaker Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri to install photographs of social reformers, saints and great personalities like Maharshi Valmiki, Basavanna, Kanakadasa, Shishunala Sharif, Narayanaguru, Ambedkar, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Kuvempu, Vallabh Bhai Patel.

The protests before the commencement of the session is indicative of a stormy winter session. This is the last session for the ruling BJP as the elections are scheduled to be held in three months.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai after arriving in Belagavi commented on the controversy of Veer Savarkar’s photo in Suvarna Soudha and maintained that it is the discretion of the Speaker of the house.

CM Bommai also maintained that he would discuss the matter with Speaker Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri and Siddaramaiah.

(With IANS inputs)