Karnataka: Winter session to be rocked by Veer Savarkar's portrait issue

The Karnataka Winter Assembly Session is set to commence on December 9 at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, with contentious debates anticipated over the issue of photographs in the assembly premises.

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The Congress government has signaled its intention to replace the portrait of Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar, installed during the previous BJP government’s tenure, with those of former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. This move has sparked strong opposition from the BJP, which plans to stage protests during the session.

During the BJP’s administration, the installation of Savarkar's portrait was lauded by its leadership as a tribute to his contributions to India's freedom struggle. However, Congress leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, argue that the focus should shift to honoring leaders like Nehru and Gandhi, who they believe represent the ideals of secularism and democracy.

BJP leaders have called this decision a deliberate provocation, accusing the Congress of undermining Savarkar's legacy for political motives. They feel removing Savarkar’s photo is an insult to the freedom movement.

The session is expected to be turbulent, with both parties using the issue as a rallying point to galvanize their supporters. Alongside this dispute, discussions on governance, policies, and public grievances are also on the agenda for the assembly’s winter proceedings.