Savarkar's stature is "no less than that of Gandhi's": Culture ministry journal

New Delhi: A monthly magazine that functions under the Ministry of Culture has dedicated its latest issue to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar calling the right-wing ideologue's historical stature "no less than that of Gandhi".

Antim Jan, brought out by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Smriti (GSDS), has the Prime Minister as its chairperson, according to Indian Express.

GSDS came into being in 1984 with an objective to propagate the life and mission and thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi through socio-educational and cultural programmes.

It is guided by a body of Gandhian and representatives from many government departments.

The BJP leader Vijay Goel who is the GSDS vice-chairman, called Savarkar in the foreword "the great patriot", and further stated it is sad that those who have not spent even a day in jail (during the freedom struggle), and have not contributed to the society, criticise a patriot like Savarkar, it is reported.

Savarkar's place in history and stature in the freedom struggle is no less than that of Gandhi, it added.

Officials at GSDS reportedly said the June issue of the monthly marks the birth anniversary of Savarkar on May 28.

The upcoming issues of the magazine would be dedicated to freedom fighters marking 75 years of Independence, officials reportedly said.

Nearly a third of the 68-page issue ran essays and articles on Savarkar alongside there is an essay on Hindutva by taken from Savarkar's book of same name.

Other essays were by writers including former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Marathi theatre and film writer Shrirang Godbole, political commentator Umesh Chaturvedi, and author Kanhaiya Tripathi.