Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has sparked a major political row with his comments on Hindutva icon Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, claiming that Savarkar, a non-vegetarian, was not against cow slaughter. The minister made these remarks during the release of the Kannada edition of the book ?Gandhi's Assassin: The Making of Nathuram Godse and His Idea of India? by journalist Dhirendra K Jha.

"Savarkar was a non-veg eater and he was not against cow slaughter. As a Brahmin, he consumed meat and openly promoted eating meat,? Rao was quoted by PTI as saying. He went on to contrast the ideologies of Savarkar and Mahatma Gandhi, describing Savarkar's beliefs as fundamentalist while highlighting Gandhi's commitment to democracy, tolerance, and inclusiveness.

Rao further added that the book documents how Savarkar?s ideology influenced Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Gandhi. "Gandhiji?s belief in democracy stands as a powerful counter to the rising influence of Savarkar's ideology and the growing wave of fundamentalism it represents today," the minister wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

BJP's Strong Reaction

Rao's remarks quickly drew sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Union Minister Anurag Thakur responded strongly, stating, "Veer Savar ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan (India will not tolerate the disrespect of Veer Savarkar)." Thakur accused the Congress of disrespecting Savarkar and stated that Congress leaders have failed to understand the contributions of the Hindutva leader. "The leaders of Congress have learned nothing from Veer Savarkar and have only enjoyed power," Thakur added.

Legal Threat from Savarkar's Family

VD Savarkar?s grandson, Ranjit Savarkar, also hit back, asserting that his grandfather was a staunch advocate of cow protection. He condemned Rao's comments and warned that any Congress leader who insults Savarkar will face legal action. Earlier in March, Ranjit Savarkar had similarly criticized Rahul Gandhi for repeatedly "insulting" the late freedom fighter for what he described as "political gain."

The controversy is likely to further escalate the ongoing ideological clash between the Congress and the BJP, with Savarkar remaining a polarizing figure in India's political landscape.