Tensions soared in New Delhi when Congress MP Imran Masood denounced demands for Bharat Ratna to Vinayak Savarkar, triggered by RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat’s endorsement. Masood branded Savarkar the architect of India’s partition, unworthy of supreme recognition.
‘It’s their view, but why Bharat Ratna for Savarkar?’ Masood quizzed IANS. ‘He championed the two-nation theory, splintering our undivided homeland. The government must clarify its award standards.’
Highlighting Bharat Ratna’s gravity, Masood insisted no honor for those who ‘damaged the nation.’ Savarkar’s polarizing profile—poet, activist, yet partition proponent—fuels endless contention.
Masood pivoted to UCC critiques: ‘No prior studies? Thrusting it on states hurts tribals. Consequences loom large.’ This reflects broader anxieties about uniform laws overriding diversity.
On UP’s SIR extension, Masood affirmed action: ‘We’re hunting Form 7 fraudsters, not just debating.’ The campaign purges voter rolls of the dead, shifted, duplicates, and absentees, with objections due by March 6, 2026.
Chief Electoral Officer Naveen Rina vouched for procedural fairness, ensuring clean lists for credible elections. Masood’s multi-pronged attack positions Congress as vigilant against historical revisionism and electoral malfeasance.
The Savarkar saga underscores ideological rifts: RSS glorifies him as Hindutva pioneer; opponents decry his role in 1947’s tragedy. As UCC and voter reforms intersect politics, Masood’s words amplify Congress’s counteroffensive, setting stages for fiercer clashes ahead.