Savarkar was inspired by Hitler: Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Sunday said VD Savarakar propagated 'Hindutva' in India after drawing inspiration from Adolf Hitler.

The former chief minister also blamed BJP for turning Dakshin Kannada into a "Hindutva laboratory" as the district saw communal tensions and political violence in recent times.

"This is a laboratory of Hindutva. Lying is their speciality. Savarkar was inspired by Hitler. Do you know who started Hindutva? It was Savarkar of the Hindu Mahasabha," Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

Ahead of the winter session in Belagavi, Karnataka Congress led by Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar had staged a sit-in dharna at the entrance of Suvarna Soudha, protesting against unveiling of Savarkar's portrait along with Mahatma Gandhi in state assembly.

Siddaramaiah, in a letter to the Speaker, also requested the installation of pictures of various historical figures, including Valmiki, Basavanna, Kanaka Dasa, BR Ambedkar, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. (UNI)