Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is facing widespread condemnation for his extraordinary claims that it was Mahatma Gandhi, who asked Savarkar to write mercy petitions to the British rulers in pre-independence India.
Speaking on Wednesday, Gandhi said that efforts were being made to defame Savarkar for writing mercy petitions to the British rulers to secure his release from the jail. “Lies were spread about Savarkar. Time & again, it was said that he filed mercy petitions before British Govt seeking his release from jail… It was Mahatma Gandhi who asked him to file mercy petitions,” Singh said.
#WATCH | Lies were spread about Savarkar. Time & again, it was said that he filed mercy petitions before British Govt seeking his release from jail… It was Mahatma Gandhi who asked him to file mercy petitions: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at launch of a book on Savarkar y'day pic.twitter.com/Pov4mI0Ieg
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2021
No sooner did the video of Singh’s extraordinary claims emerge, the defence minister began to face roasting on social media. AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi was quoted by news agency ANI, “They are presenting distorted history. If this continues, they’ll remove Mahatma Gandhi & make Savarkar the father of the nation, who was accused of the murder of Mahatma Gandhi & was pronounced complicit in the inquiry of Justice Jeevan Lal Kapur.”
Activist Kavita Krishnan wrote on Twitter, “Dear @RajnathSingh_in tell us how and when did Gandhi advise Savarkar to beg for mercy? Savarkar’s mercy petitions date to 1911, Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915. Next, you will say Gandhi told Godse to shoot him!”
Dear @RajnathSingh_in tell us how and when did Gandhi advise Savarkar to beg for mercy? Savarkar's mercy petitions date to 1911, Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915. Next, you will say Gandhi told Godse to shoot him! https://t.co/yjoozXr6NQ
— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) October 13, 2021
Irfan Habib, historian of science and modern political history, too wrote, “Yes, monochromatic history writing is really changing, led by the minister who claims Gandhi asked Savarkar to write mercy petitions. At least it is accepted now that he did write. No documentary evidence needed when minister makes a claim. New history for New India.”
Yes, monochromatic history writing is really changing, led by the minister who claims Gandhi asked Savarkar to write mercy petitions. At least it is accepted now that he did write. No documentary evidence needed when minister makes a claim. New history for New India.
— S lrfan Habib (@irfhabib) October 13, 2021
Filmmaker Rakesh Sharma tweeted, “Utter nonsense! Savarkar wrote 6 mercy petitions, begging for clemency. His 1913 petition refers to the first one written in 1911, just months after being jailed at Andamans. Gandhi returned to India from S Africa only in 1915. Minister-ji peddling WhatsApp propaganda?!”
Utter nonsense!
Savarkar wrote 6 mercy petitions, begging for clemency. His 1913 petition refers to the first one written in 1911, just months after being jailed at Andamans.
Gandhi returned to India from S Africa only in 1915. Minister-ji peddling WhatsApp propaganda?! https://t.co/NXVP8wBmwU
— Rakesh Sharma (@rakeshfilm) October 13, 2021