Pawar also pointed out that Savarkar was never a member of the RSS and reminded the Gandhi scion that the alliance's real fight is with the BJP and PM Narendra Modi.
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Nana Patole defended Gandhi and said his party was firmly committed to secularism and could never accept the allegedly divisive politics of Savarkar.
"In our engagements with our Indian partners, we continue to highlight the importance of democratic principles and the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression, as a key to strengthening both our democracies." Rahul Gandhi Disqualification: US Watching Congress Leader s Case in Indian Courts, Says Department of State Spokesperson Vedant Patel.
The newspaper emphasized that Savarkar was a great warrior who fought against British rule and that Rahul Gandhi needed to raise strong warriors in his own party first.
Opposition leaders said Congress has agreed to tone down its criticism of Savarkar, which has led to unease among the NCP and Shiv Sena, its alliance partners in Maharashtra.