New Delhi: Questioning the freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, former Union minister and current Lok Sabha MP Anant Kumar Hegde has reportedly referred to it as a ”staged drama” born out of an "adjustment" with the British.

Reports have said that the BJP brass is already miffed with Hegde, who has in the past said lines which have landed the party in trouble. The party has allegedly asked for an apology from Hegde.

"There were two types of freedom fighters, one who believed in shastra (arms) and another in shaastra (intellectual motivators). There was also another category of freedom fighters who used to ask the British how to carry out the freedom struggle," Hegde was heard saying in a video which has gone viral.

"We will abide by whatever you say...simply adjustment and understanding.... like 20-20 [cricket match]," the Uttara Kannada MP said about this alleged faction of the freedom movement.

Hegde alleged that the third category of freedom fighters had pleaded with the British to recognise their freedom struggle and requested that they be imprisoned.

"They (pleaded with the British) – it's enough if you properly take care of us, nothing more than that."

“None of these so-called leaders were beaten up by the cops even once. Their independence movement was one big drama. It was staged by these leaders with the approval of the British. It was not a genuine fight. It was an adjustment freedom struggle," NDTV quoted Hegde as having said.

Also read: Union Minister Hegde Puts Foot in Mouth (Again), Likens Dalits to Dogs

He then made an indirect reference to Gandhi.

“People supporting Congress keep saying that India got independence because of the fast unto death and satyagraha. This is not true. The British did not leave the country because of satyagraha. Britishers gave independence out of frustration. My blood boils when I read history. Such people become Mahatma in our country.”

“Those who sacrificed their lives and worked towards big change in the country were dumped in the dark corners of history, but those who fought in adjustment with the British became freedom fighters with certificate...This is the tragedy of the country," Hegde also said.

Before the Lok Sabha election of 2019, Hegde ran into controversy by referring to then Congress president Rahul Gandhi as a “hybrid born to a Muslim and a Christian.”

In 2018, Hegde likened Dalit protesters to dogs in Karnataka's Ballari. In 2017, he asked people to identify themselves by their caste or religion, instead of saying that they are secular.

(With PTI inputs)

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