nBharatiya Janata Party MLAs led by Leader of Opposition walked out of the special assembly session convened to mark the 150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi after Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel commented referring to BJP members: “For you Sarvarkar is ‘Veer’ but for us Gandhiji is ‘Veer’.”
Baghel was addressing the concluding session on Thursday. BJP members then staged sit-in-demonstration before the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, alleging disrespect to freedom fighters. They returned after the session was declared adjourned sine-die.
During the address Chief Minister mentioned that Veer Savarkar had sought apology 13 times from Britishers and Godse was a student of Savarkar as per the available evidences. On this BJP member Shivratan Sharma said Savarkar was acquitted by the court on the charges. He demanded deletion of it from the records and asked CM to withdraw his statement. Chief Minister said he would not detract from his statement and continued with his address. BJP members sought apology and then walked out of the House after raising slogans.
Former chief minister Raman Singh addressing the media said, the special assembly has been called to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi but instead of sticking to Gandhian values, Congress is indulging in politics.
It is an insult to freedom fighters. Leader of Opposition Dharamlal Kaushik said the special session was to be focused on Gandhian values and teachings instead the Congress has indulged in politics by raising contentious issues of Godse and others to create a vicious atmosphere.
He said that instead of sympathizing with the plight of farmers of Kawardha, they were beaten up by police for following Gandhiji’s steps while fighting for their rights.