A fierce political rebuttal unfolded in Mumbai as Congress stalwart Bhai Jagtap dismantled RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat’s pitch for honoring Veer Savarkar with the Bharat Ratna. ‘How does this elevate the award’s stature?’ Jagtap challenged, underscoring its unparalleled prestige.
Past honorees embodied lifelong sacrifice for the motherland, Jagtap reminded. With allegations shadowing Savarkar, he argued the move risks devaluing the honor. Pointing to reportedly tainted ministers in the ruling dispensation, he cautioned against further dilution.
Jagtap sidestepped fueling the debate, leaving it to the government while predicting national discourse. Salman Khan’s RSS event appearance drew his call for depoliticizing entertainment and sports—realms he knows well from his cricket days.
He decried the 90s underworld era’s end under Congress watch, contrasting it with today’s firing at Rohit Shetty’s home and star threats, branding law enforcement as utterly failed. Gangsters, he said, sense impunity, especially if they pivot to BJP.
Bhagwat’s three-kids advocacy amused Jagtap against India’s population supremacy. Amid soaring women’s safety woes—backed by stats—he urged focus on youth empowerment through studies and careers over premature weddings.
Assailing Assam CM Sarma’s barbs at Gaurav Gogoi, Jagtap demanded deeds, not words. For new BMC mayor Ritu Tavade’s infiltrator stance, he wished well but pressed for results post-BJP’s decade-plus dominance.
Om Birla’s comments earned ‘regrettable’ tag, with Jagtap decrying opposition muzzling in Parliament, even on vital China issues. Ajit Pawar’s crash probes warranted government clarity, especially on the aging plane’s landing glitches.
On Indo-Pak cricket clashes, Jagtap championed sportsmanship, hailing India’s unyielding supremacy from U-19 glories to senior triumphs, free from political taint.