Bengaluru: In an apparent attack on Mahatma Gandhi, controversial BJP MP from Karnataka Anant Kumar Hegde has questioned the freedom movement led by the Father of the nation, and described India's independence struggle as an "adjustment" with the then British rulers.
Freedom fighters who did not sacrifice anything made the country believe that it attained independence through 'Upavas Satyagrah', Gandhi's preferred mode of agitation, and became Mahapurush (great person), Hegde said at an event here on Saturday.
In his address in Kannada, Hegde, a former union Minister known for making controversial remarks, said: "There were two types of freedom fighters, one which believed in Shastra (arms) and another in Shaastra (intellectual motivators)."
"There was also another category of freedom fighters which used to ask the British how to carry out the freedom struggle," Hegde said at the event to remember VD Savarkar.
"We will abide by whatever you say simply adjustment and understanding.... like 20-20 (cricket match)," the Uttara Kannada MP said about the freedom movement.
Hegde alleged that the third category of freedom fighters had pleaded with the British to recognise their freedom struggle and requested that they be imprisoned.
"They (pleaded with the British) it's enough if you properly take care of us, nothing more than that," he said.
Freedom fighters who did not sacrifice anything made the country believe that India attained independence through 'Upavas Satyagrah', he said, adding that the British were 'frightened' and gifted the nation freedom.
"Such people became Mahapurush (great people).."
"Those who sacrificed their lives and worked towards big change in the country were dumped in the dark corners of history, but those who fought in adjustment with the British became freedom fighters with certificate....."
"This is the tragedy of the country," Hegde, known for his past controversial remarks on issues like secularism and Constitution, said.
In 2017 when he was a Union Minister, Hegde had stoked a row when he said the then BJP government planned to change the Constitution, drawing strong reactions, including from the opposition Congress.
