Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Veer Savarkar College located in Roshanpura, Najafgarh, today on January 3. The declaration arrives at a politically intense time, right before the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, sparking conversations about its implications and the controversial decision to name the institution after Veer Savarkar.
I look forward to laying the foundation stone of Veer Savarkar College tomorrow in Najafgarh, Delhi.
Veer Savarkar was and is one of the greatest thinkers who gave the ideological framework of Hindutva to protect and defend our civilisational heritage, ravaged as it was through… https://t.co/vcsNEQ2ESy
— Narendra Modi (@narendram0dee) January 2, 2025
Details About Veer Savarkar College
The planned Veer Savarkar College constitutes a noteworthy investment of Rs 140 crore and will cover an overall constructed area of 18,816.56 square metres. Positioned advantageously near the Urban Extension Road (UER) highway and just a short walk from the proposed West Campus, the college seeks to enhance accessibility for students.
The organization will provide cutting-edge facilities including 24 classrooms, eight tutorial spaces, 40 faculty offices, departmental libraries, conference rooms, and a cafeteria. It is also a component of Delhi University’s goal to set up campuses in all four cardinal points of the city.
#WATCH | Delhi | On PM Modi to lay the foundation stone for DU’s Veer Savarkar College, Vice-Chancellor – Delhi University, Yogesh Singh says, “…It’s a day to take inspiration – PM Modi will lay the foundation stone. After one and a half years, the project is expected to be… pic.twitter.com/vEWlHMAPX7
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2025
Backlash Over Naming College Over Veer Savarkar
Nevertheless, the choice to name the college in honor of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar has elicited varied responses. Savarkar is hailed by numerous individuals as a freedom fighter and a proponent of Hindutva, but his legacy is contested by some because of his contentious ideological views.
Opposition Criticises
Opposition parties, especially Congress, have charged the BJP with leveraging Savarkar’s legacy to expand its electoral support in Delhi. Congress leader Naseer Hussain claimed that naming the college after Savarkar was an effort to validate those who sought assistance from the British during India’s fight for independence.
“There are countless freedom fighters who gave their lives for India’s sovereignty. Naming the college after one of them would have been a genuine tribute,” Hussain stated according to a report by India Today
He additionally accused the BJP of endorsing individuals who share their ideological beliefs. The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), supported by the Congress, has proposed that the college be named after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh instead.
BJP’s Support To The Decision
Leaders of the BJP have robustly supported the decision, rejecting the Congress’s comments as unfounded. BJP representative Shehzad Poonawalla charged the Congress with repeatedly showing disrespect towards venerated historical personalities.
According to report by TOI, BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar said over Congress party’s opposition on PM Modi setting foundation stone for Veer Savarkar college, “Congress party, if they don’t understand the history of India and they think the history of India is only limited to Jawaharlal Nehru… then obviously I can’t help them. They will have to buy history textbooks and understand that our India has been built by many, many leaders. Subhash Chandra Bose, who they ignored. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whom they ignored. Veer Savarkar ji whom they tried to create misinformation around and there are many such leaders and our party, our government is committed to ensuring that every leader, every one of these great people who contributed to today’s India is honoured, is respected and Rahul Gandhi’s little cheap politics of trying to abuse Veer Savarkar ji in a hope of getting Muslim votes has played out repeatedly in Haryana and failed.”
#WATCH | Delhi | PM Narendra Modi virtually inaugurates two urban redevelopment projects – the World Trade Centre at Nauroji Nagar and GPRA Type-II Quarters at Sarojini Nagar, CBSE’s Integrated Office Complex at Dwarka
PM Modi also lays the foundation stone of Veer Savarkar… pic.twitter.com/gyydATTrOw
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2025
Today is an important day for Delhi’s development. At a programme in Ashok Vihar, will be inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for a wide range of development works which will boost ‘Ease of Living’ for the people of Delhi. https://t.co/awPBH6GmEN
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 3, 2025
PM Modi Inaugurates Other Key Places
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presents the keys to the recipients of newly built apartments for residents of Jhuggi Jhopri (JJ) clusters as part of the In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation Project at Swabhiman Apartments, Ashok Vihar, Delhi.
Empowering the people of Delhi with better opportunities and quality of life remains our unwavering commitment, reflecting in the projects being inaugurated today! pic.twitter.com/xr64rrDm9m
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 3, 2025
PM Modi also tweeted on his X page (formerly Twitter) about the inauguration events carried out in Delhi for the development of the people and capital city.
