BJP MP Ananth Kumar Hegde calls Mahatma Gandhi’s freedom struggle a ‘drama’

Bhartiya Janata Party MP and former union minister Anantkumar Hegde has stirred yet another controversy. This time for attacking Mahatma Gandhi and calling the freedom struggle led by him a "drama".

Hegde also questioned as to how "such people" come to be called 'Mahatma' in the country.

The Lok Sabha MP from Uttara Kannada said while addressing a public event in Bengaluru on Saturday, the entire freedom movement was "staged with the consent and support of the British

"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," Hegde said.

BJP MP also termed Mahatma Gandhi's hunger strikes and satyagraha a "drama".

"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," Hegde said in his concluding statement.