Amit Shah dedicates his maiden blog to Veer Savarkar

NEW DELHI: Dedicating his maiden blog to Hidutva pioneer Veer Savarkar, BJP chief Amit Shah today called him his "ideal" whose mantra was "one nation, one cultural value and nationalism" as he asked people to join him in making India of Savarkar's dream.

Shah said he had tears in his eyes whenever he thought about the tortures Savarkar suffered in the British rule and the way he was ignored in independent India.

"If the leading political leaders in the independent India had drawn from Savarkar's life and philosophy to build the nation, then the country would not be passing through such difficult times. Come and pledge with me that we will be partners in making India of his dreams," he wrote on his blog.

"Savarkar ji was a strong votary of an undivided India. His mantra was one nation, one cultural value and nationalism... He was a great patriot, unparalleled freedom fighter and social reformer, great writer, pioneering visionary and strong proponent of Hindu culture," Shah said.

Recalling Savarkar's vision, the BJP leader said he believed in a democratic India where followers of all religions and faiths would be treated equally. Where nobody will be allowed to dominate others, he said.

Noting that various governments ignored him, Shah said when the first NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee decided to put his portrait in parliament followers of a certain ideology opposed it. He was apparently referring to the Congress and Left parties.

Shah's first blog came after BJP general secretary Ram Lal launched his website. He hoped that it would help his interaction with people and party workers.