Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 2: Stirring yet another controversy, BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde has attacked Mahatma Gandhi, calling his non-violent freedom struggle a 'drama' and an 'adjustment' fight against the British.

Addressing a public programme, Hegde alleged that the freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi was 'staged' with the 'consent and support' of the British.

News18 quoted the MP as saying, "None of these so-called leaders were beaten by the police with batons even once. Their independence movement was one big drama. It was staged by these leaders with the approval of the British. It was not a genuine fight. It was an 'adjustment' freedom struggle."

File Photo

Terming Gandhi’s hunger strikes and satyagraha a 'drama', he said, "These Congress people keep saying that we got independence because of the fast unto death or satyagraha. That is not true. The British did not leave India because of satyagraha."

He also denied the role of RSS in Gandhi’s assassination.

However, the state BJP did not endorse Hegde's statement. State BJP spokesperson G Madhusudhan said that the RSS respects Mahatma Gandhi and will not support such 'cheap' remarks.

'No need to learn from people who worship Godse' 

Retorting to Hegde's remarks about the Mahatma, former chief minister Siddaramaiah said, "There is no need to learn lessons on patriotism from people who worship Godse (Gandhi's killer)."

Siddaramaiah further said, "Anantakumar Hegde does not know the basics of freedom struggle. If there is any country in this world that has secured independence from colonial rule through non-violence, it is India.

"What more can people who revere Godse and Savarkar speak about? How will they accept Mahatma Gandhi? Anantakumar Hegde is still young. He does not know what is independence. So he is blabbering whatever comes to his mind. There is no need for people to learn about patriotism from him," he said.

KPCC media division chief V S Ugrappa also slammed Hegde, saying that the MP ought to be 'admitted to mental hospital'.

"By saying that Gandhiji is not a freedom fighter Hegde has given an arrogant and mentally unstable statement. Hegde, who had earlier given a statement insulting Dr B R Ambedkar, has now spoken on Mahatma Gandhi like a mentally deranged person.

"Anantakumar might have lost his mental balance. If the BJP are concerned about him, he should be treated immediately in Nimhans or any other hospital where they treat mentally-ill patients. In addition, let BJP clarify its stand on the statement given by Hegde on Gandhiji," he said.

"If the government in the state and at the center is alive, they should have sent MP Anantkumar Hegde to prison by now for making derogatory remarks against the Constitution and democracy. Because of the non-violence and Satyagraha mode of independence struggle led by Mahatma Gandhiji, India has got a very respectable position in the world today. By insulting such a great person, Hegde has insulted whole of India," he added.

"In the independence struggle, RSS was against Gandhiji. Today BJP leaders are speaking in the same way. BJP leaders are the real traitors of India. They are against democracy and Constitution of this country. The public of India is noticing the recklessness of BJP and the day is not far when the people of this country will teach a fitting lesson to the party.

"While the Congress party believes in the ideals of Mahatma Gandhiji, BJP proposes the ideals of Nathuram Godse. BJP president of West Bengal says that they will bludgeon those who speak against CAA like dogs. The BJP minister of Uttar Pradesh says that they will shoot anyone who speaks against the prime minister, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh or the CAA. Union finance minister for state, our state ministers R Ashok and C T Ravi say that those who oppose CAA should be shot mercilessly. MLA Somashekhar Reddy and MP of Bengaluru South Lok Sabha constituency also speak in the same manner," he said.

Former Karnataka minister and Congress MLA Priyank Kharge said, "Hegde is no longer a minister. He is out of circulation. He is now trying to impress Prime Minister Modi by talking nonsense."