Fresh Push for Bharat Ratna on Savarkar Jayanti

Maharashtra's political landscape witnessed renewed vigour on Wednesday as leaders marked Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's 143rd birth anniversary by pressing for the Bharat Ratna. Cabinet minister Girish Mahajan told reporters that Savarkar's sacrifices during the freedom movement were monumental and that ignoring them would be unjust. He reminded citizens that the state legislature had formally petitioned the Centre and pledged to follow up until the honour is granted. Shiv Sena's Manisha Kayande reinforced the demand, stating that the award is not merely a party issue but a reflection of widespread public feeling. Across the border in Uttar Pradesh, Acharya Pramod Krishnam addressed a seminar in Greater Noida, praising both Savarkar and the late Mahant Avaidyanath for their roles in shaping modern India. Krishnam observed that while independence arrived in 1947, Savarkar waited decades for appropriate national recognition. He credited the current government with finally changing that narrative. Observers believe these coordinated statements could intensify pressure on the Union government ahead of future honours announcements.