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Raut on PM's Marseille visit: 'Nothing wrong with Modi visiting the place from where Savarkar escaped'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Marseille, France, has drawn reactions from Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, who called it a "matter of pride" due to Veer Savarkar’s historic escape from British captivity in the city.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Marseille, France, where he paid tribute to freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Raut described the visit as a moment of national pride and defended Savarkar’s legacy.
"There’s nothing wrong with the Prime Minister visiting the place from where Veer Savarkar attempted his escape. It is a matter of pride for us," Raut told reporters. He further stated that while ideological differences may exist, Savarkar was a fearless revolutionary and an important figure in India’s freedom struggle.
PM Modi pays tribute to Savarkar in Marseille
Upon his arrival in Marseille, PM Modi took to social media to highlight the historical significance of the city in India’s freedom movement. “Landed in Marseille. In India’s quest for freedom, this city holds special significance. It was here that the great Veer Savarkar attempted a courageous escape,” he posted on X.
Why is Marseille significant in India's freedom struggle?
Marseille holds a unique place in India’s independence history. In 1910, Savarkar, who was being taken to India under British custody, attempted a daring escape by slipping out of a ship’s porthole and swimming to shore. However, he was soon captured by French authorities and handed back to the British, triggering a major diplomatic controversy. He was later sentenced to life imprisonment at the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
PM Modi’s itinerary in France
During his visit to France, PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate a new Consulate General of India alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders are also expected to visit the Mazargues War Cemetery to pay tribute to Indian soldiers who fought in the World Wars.
Additionally, PM Modi will tour the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, a major international collaboration on nuclear fusion research. Following his engagements in France, the Prime Minister will travel to the United States as part of his two-nation tour.