Bhopal, January 2: A controversial booklet distributed by the Congress in Madhya Pradesh claimed that Hindu Mahasabha co-founder Vinayak Damodar Savarkar had a physical relationship with assailant of Mahatma Gandhi Nathuram Godse. The booklet named “How brave was Veer Savarkar” was reportedly distributed in an All India Congress Seva Dal training camp in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal. 'Savarkar Considered Cow as Animal, Not Mother, Will BJP Accept It?' NCP's Chhagan Bhujbal Backs Rahul Gandhi Amid Row.

The booklet referred to an incident mentioned in Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins's - Freedom at Midnight- about Sarvarkar’s relations with Godse. “Before adopting brahmacharya, there is only one mention of Nathuram Godse's physical relationship,” India Today quoted the booklet as saying. The booklet also described the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as "Nazi and fascist". Rahul Jinnah 'More Appropriate' Name for Rahul Gandhi, Says BJP After Savarkar Jibe.

One of the question in the booklet reads, “Did Savarkar encourage Hindus to rape of minority women?”. While, answering this question, it is mentioned in the booklet that “yes” Sarvarkar propagated raping women of the minority community. Speaking on the controversy, member of Rashtriya Seva Dal Lalji Desai, said, “Writer has written it on basis of evidence. But that's not important for us. In our country today, everyone has legal right to have their own preferences.” In the booklet it was also claimed that Savarkar had pelted stone at a mosque when he was 12 years old.

Lalji Desai's Statement:

Last month in December, during an election in Jharkhand, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a jibe at Savarkar while refusing to apologise for his “rape in India” remark. In his speech, Gandhi said, “I was told in Parliament by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday that Rahul ji, you gave a speech. Apologise for that.' I was told to apologise for something which is right. My name is not Rahul Savarkar. My name is Rahul Gandhi. I will never apologise for truth.” The BJP had demanded Bharat Ratna for Hindutva ideologue in its election manifesto for Maharashtra Assembly election in October.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 02, 2020 08:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).