Upcoming Bandra-Versova sealink to be named after Savarkar, says Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said the upcoming Bandra-Versova sea link in the western part of Mumbai will be named after Hindutva ideologue late VD Savarkar, while a state-level gallantry award will be given on the lines of the Centre. He will also be named. Speaking in New Delhi on Savarkar’s birth anniversary, the CM said some people were deliberately maligning Savarkar for their own selfishness and fearing that they would have to close their shop if his views became popular in the society.

He said that this is the first time that the birth anniversary of Savarkar is being celebrated in the Maharashtra Sadan built by the state government there. He said, “Savarkar’s critics know that if his ideas become popular in the society, they will have to shut shop. Imagine how fearful they are that even after 57 years of Savarkar’s death, they oppose him.”

“There have been deliberate and persistent attempts by some people to malign the image of Savarkar for their selfish gains. It is unfortunate that even after 57 years of his death, some people fail to understand him. It angers me to see that some people deliberately try to discredit.” His image,” Shinde said. Born on May 28, 1883 in Nashik district, Savarkar died on February 26, 1966.

“The upcoming Bandra-Versova sealink will be named after Swatantryaveer Savarkar. On the lines of Central government’s gallantry awards, Maharashtra government will also institute Swatantryaveer Savarkar gallantry awards,” Shinde said.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais inaugurated an exhibition on Savarkar’s life and praised Savarkar for opposing caste-based discrimination and calling untouchability a blot on the country. Bais said, “Savarkar was a great orator, writer and historian. Despite the hardships in the Cellular Jail, he did not lose his morale. However, historians have not done justice to him. This needs to be rectified now.”