New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Sushilkumar Shinde’s autobiography titled ‘Five Decades in Politics’ has been published recently. In his autobiography, he showers praise on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
Sushilkumar Shinde is a prominent leader of the Congress party and has also served as the Union Home Minister. He was also the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Additionally, he has held responsibilities as a governor for some time.
“Swatantryaveer (freedom hero) Savarkar worked for social equality and the upliftment of Dalits,” Sushilkumar Shinde has opined in his autobiography. The praise for Savarkar in Shinde’s autobiography may create a dilemma for the Congress party.
What Sushilkumar Shinde has said in his autobiography?
“On May 25, 1983, a ceremony to unveil the statue of Swatantryaveer Savarkar was held in Nagpur. Since I have a deep respect for Savarkar, I attended the event. Savarkar made significant contributions to the eradication of untouchability and casteism. Balasaheb Deoras, the president of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, was present on the stage at that event. The next day, a photograph from the event was published in the newspaper. Deoras was seated on a chair while everyone else sat on the ground. Upon seeing that photograph, a Congress MP made a comment questioning the loyalty of Congress members who sit at the feet of RSS leaders and pay respects to someone like Savarkar. Deoras had informed us in advance that he suffered from diabetes and arthritis, and he had also asked for permission,” wrote Sushilkumar Shinde in his autobiography.
“I stood firm on the issue that I supported Savarkar. He made significant efforts to end casteism. As I myself belong to a backward class, I feel the importance of Savarkar’s efforts. That matter ended there, but I made my point clear,” he said in his autobiography.
“Sometimes, I wonder when it comes to the issue of Savarkar, why do we put so much emphasis on his Hindutva ideology? There are many other dimensions to his personality. Can’t we see the philosopher and rationalist in him? Savarkar stood for the real social equality and upliftment of Dalits, and so he had to suffer many times. I believe that the narrow views about Savarkar is a challenge before us,” wrote Sushilkumar Shinde.
Sushilkumar Shinde on Congress’ journey
Sushilkumar Shinde has also commented on the journey of Congress in his autobiography. “After working in politics for a long time, I feel that there is a need to reform in the ideological framework of the Congress,” said Sushilkumar Shinde. “I also think that the Congress state president is our leader, be it from any state. And we should pay adequate attention to the state presidents. But this does not happen. I think the reason behind this is that political power and big positions like that of the chief minister are alluring. But one must remember here that you get power only if the party is strong from within. We are seeing many examples of this in many political parties in recent times,” wrote Sushilkumar Shinde in his autobiography.
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