Amit Shah credits Savarkar for recognising 1857 mutiny as India’s first freedom struggle
Amit Shah asked Indian academics to stop blaming the British and the leftists for the “injustice” to Indian history and instead document 25 kingdoms and 200 great personalities overlooked by historians.
Union home minister Amit Shah called for rewriting history from the Indian point of view and credited Hindu Mahasabha ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar for recognising the 1857 mutiny as India’s first freedom struggle as opposed to the “British” view. Shah was speaking at a seminar on Gupta dynasty ruler Skandagupta at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi on Thursday.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses a seminar, 'Guptvanshak Veer: Skandagupta Vikramaditya', at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 . (PTI Photo)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
Shah’s remarks comes close on the heels of the Maharashtra BJP manifesto’s advocacy for the highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, for Savarkar.
{{^usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
“Had it not been for Veer Savarkar, the 1857 ‘kranti’ (revolt) would not have become history and we would have been seeing it from the British point of view,” the home minister said.
Shah asked Indian academics to stop blaming the British and the leftists for the “injustice” to Indian history and instead document 25 kingdoms and 200 great personalities overlooked by historians.
“Forget who wrote what. Don’t get into controversy. Write history from the Indian point of view,” Shah said and added, “How long will you keep criticising the British and the Leftists for injustice to Indian history? Who stopped you from writing history based on truth.”
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
Discussing the Maurya and Gupta dynasties, Shah said the Indian boundary extended up to Afghanistan during the reign of Skandagupta, which he described as a golden era.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
Discussing the Maurya and Gupta dynasties, Shah said the Indian boundary extended up to Afghanistan during the reign of Skandagupta, which he described as a golden era.
{{/usCountry}}
The home minister also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making India “regain” its respect in the world.
“Respect for the country has increased under him. The world pays attention to our point of view. The world listens when our PM speaks on international developments,” Shah said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was also present at the function, said great men of history were overlooked by some due to a conspiracy but India was now getting honoured across the world and great men were being remembered under the prime ministership of Narendra Modi.
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.
Get Latest News, breaking headlines, and top India News, and today real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, Today Weather, and major developments on Hindustan Times
Get Latest News, breaking headlines, and top India News, and today real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, Today Weather, and major developments on Hindustan Times
