Shiv Sena demands 'Bharat Ratna' for Veer Savarkar

New Delhi: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to confer Bharat Ratna to freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.

In a letter sent to Prime Minister Modi on Monday, Raut described Savarkar as a 'staunch supporter of Hindu nation' and accused previous governments of ignoring the freedom fighter.

"The British Courts had sentenced him life imprisonment and sent to cellular jail in Andaman Islands. He was tortured and ill treated there, but he remained resolute and patriot," the latter stated.
 
"Previous governments deliberately ignored Veer Savarkar's great contribution (to freedom struggle). He was a supporter of Hindu nation, and that is why previous government tried taking revenge.... I have full faith that your (Prime Minister Modi's) government will confer Bharat Ratna to Veer Savarkar, which people of our country want," it added.