Avoid controversy over first freedom struggle celebrations: Advani

New Delhi, Sep 14 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani today said efforts should be made to avoid any controversy in the celebrations for 150 years of the first freedom movement of 1857.

The confusion among the Congress ranks led to the controversy over the centenary celebrations of Vande Mataram, Mr Advani said at a book release function here.

Contesting claims by former Minorities Commission Chairperson Tarlochan Singh, the senior BJP leader said it was an undisputed fact that the struggle that started in 1857 was the first movement for freedom.

He also cited Veer Savarkar and accounts by various historians in this regard.

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