'Savarkar's petition was filed as legal rights at the behest of Mahatma Gandhi'; Savarkar was a true nationalist, says Rajnath Singh

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday described Veer Savarkar as a true nationalist and realist. He also alleged that people of a particular ideology spread lies and misconceptions about him. Savarkar was, is and will be a great hero of the Indian freedom struggle, he said.

The Defence Minister also said that a lie was spread about Savarkar. "Many are spreading lies about Savarkar that he apologized to the British. However, the truth is that this petition was filed as legal rights at the behest of Mahatma Gandhi so that he could come out of jail and join the freedom movement," he said.