Storm over Bhagwat's remarks: Opposition terms it 'anti-national', demands retraction

The controversy over RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remark describing the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as the attainment of India's "true independence" refuses to die down, as leaders from across the political spectrum react strongly, describing it as "anti-national" and demanding its withdrawal.

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Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed Bhagwat's statement as "anti-national."

"This is an anti-national statement, and I strongly condemn it. This is a dangerous remark, and it should be withdrawn immediately. I do not know whether he said this in full knowledge of this nation's struggle for independence, but it is an attempt to distort history," Banerjee told journalists at the state secretariat, Nabanna.

Bhagwat said on Monday that the date of the Ram Temple's consecration in Ayodhya should be celebrated as "Pratishtha Dwadashi," marking the "true independence" of Bharat, which had faced "parachakra" (enemy attack) for several centuries.

Referring to India's struggle for independence and the iconic freedom fighters who made that dream a reality, Banerjee added, “A sovereign country was established on August 15, 1947. Can any organisation change or distort our history of independence? We are proud of our independence, our republic, and our democracy. Long live this independence even as we remember the jawans who have died protecting it.