BJP OKs posters of Savarkar at Belagavi pandals

BELAGAVI: A political tussle between BJP and Congress over Hindu Mahasabha founder Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's legacy is likely to play out during Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations in Karnataka's Belagavi city, where festivities are marked as much by grandeur as by patriotism.
Across Belagavi, Ganesha Utsava mandals organise public celebrations, with idols of the deity being installed on roads and playgrounds.BJP's Belagavi district unit has decided to put up posters of Savarkar at all public pandals throughout the 11-day event, slated to commence at the end of August. Abhay Patil and Anil Beneke, BJP legislators from Belagavi city, on Sunday said Ganesha mandals would be allowed to display posters of Savarkar, "who is credited with re-scripting the narrative of the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny". They called it "the First War of Indian Independence".
Patil said: "No power can stop Savarkar's pictures from being exhibited in Belagavi. Those questioning Savarkar must read his biographies and those resisting these efforts will face consequences." Beneke said: "Savarkar has a close affiliation with Belagavi. He was housed in Hindalga Jail in Belagavi. There's no question of yielding to the opposition."
The poster row has been festering lately in Karnataka, leading to a clash in Shivamogga over opposing groups displaying portraits of Savarkar and Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan.