Savarkar’s grandson wants Rahul Gandhi thrashed in public

Mumbai, Dec 16: V D Savarkar's grandson Ranjit Savarkar on Sunday appealed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to "thrash" Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in public for "insulting" the late Hindutva icon by his remarks.

Ranjit was referring to the comments made by Rahul Gandhi at a public rally in Delhi on Saturday.

Addressing the "Bharat Bachao Rally", Rahul Gandhi rejected the BJP's demand for an apology for his "rape in India" barb, and added that his name was Rahul Gandhi, not "Rahul Savarkar", and he will never apologise for speaking the truth.

On Sunday evening, Ranjit Savarkar reminded Thackeray, who heads the Shiv Sena, of his past remarks that those who insult V D Savarkar should be thrashed at a public square.

The Sena heads the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government comprising the Congress and the NCP.

"Rahul Gandhi had repeatedly alleged that my grandfather had apologised to the British, which is not true. My grandfather had only agreed to the terms and conditions of the British to get freed from jail. He never swore allegiance to the British," Ranjit Savarkar said.

A political firestorm has erupted over Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the Hindutva icon.