New Delhi: Senior Indian journalist and former Indian Minister Arun Shourie has made significant revelations in his latest book, “The New Icon Savarkar and the Fact,” which offers a critical examination of the life and ideology of Damodar Savarkar.

According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, the book has generated political discourse, as it challenges the portrayal of Savarkar as a nationalist hero by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Shourie argues that the BJP is attempting to overshadow Gandhi’s legacy while promoting Savarkar’s divisive views.

A former minister in the BJP’s NDA government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shourie has utilized Savarkar’s writings, British archives, and contemporary records to contest the assumptions about Savarkar’s contributions to India’s freedom struggle. The book reveals Savarkar’s mercy pleas to the British, his advocacy for violence, and his controversial perspectives on Muslims and Christians in India.

In an interview with the BBC, Shourie emphasized the modern-day application of Savarkar’s ideas to undermine Gandhi’s legacy. He concluded his book with an appeal to differentiate Hinduism from Hindutva, presenting evidence that challenges the historical narratives associated with Savarkar.

The book also delves into Savarkar’s alleged involvement in the conspiracy to assassinate Gandhi, citing a government witness who claimed that Godse and Apte sought Savarkar’s approval for the assassination. Shourie’s work highlights Savarkar’s plea for clemency to the British, wherein he pledged loyalty to the colonial authorities.

Furthermore, Shourie critiques Savarkar’s ideology against Muslims and Christians, accusing him of collaborating with the British to divide India. He warns that Savarkar’s ideology threatens to erode India’s secular foundation.