Deora should re-instal Savarkar's quotes at Andaman: Naik

Mumbai, Mar 3 (UNI) Former Petroleum Minister Ram Naik today urged newly appointed minister Murli Deora to take an initiative in putting back the quotes of Swatantraveer Sawarkar on the 'Swatantray Jyot' in the Andaman Jail.

Mr Naik has made the request to the new Petroleum Minister in a letter.

The removal of the quotes from the Jyot at the behest of the then Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Iyer had resulted in wide protests by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and demonstration by Shiv Shena its activists had even forced Mr Iyer to return after landing at the Mumbai airport last year.

Mr Naik recalled that Indian Oil Foundation had undertaken the project of 'Swatantra Jyot' at the cellular jail in Andaman at his initiative and was completed during his tenure, but could not be inaugurated due to the enforcement of the code of conduct in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.

The inauguration was later done by Mr Iyer, but the quotes were removed, resulting in the protests by the BJP.

Mr Naik also urged the minister to expedite project of conservation and beautification of Kenheri Caves at Borivali in Mumbai North.

UNI ST KD SC RS1537