New Delhi: MP Ananthkumar Hegde has been asked to put out an unconditional apology by the ruling BJP party for his remarks stating that the freedom movement was a “staged drama” led by Mahatma Gandhi. BJP’s top leadership is said to be unhappy with Hegde’s remarks on Gandhi, according to a report by NDTV.

It can be recalled that the Uttara Kannada MP kicked off a fresh controversy by saying that the entire freedom movement was “staged with the consent and support of the British” at a public event in Bengaluru on Saturday, February 1.

Hegde is further quoted criticising Mahatma Gandhi, regarded as the ‘Father of the Nation’, by remarking that his “blood boiled that such people came to be called Mahatma.”

The entire freedom movement was “staged with the consent and support of the British”, Hegde had said on Saturday at a public event in Bengaluru.

“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,” the six-time MP had said.

“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 added.

Speaking to NDTV, sources said that the BJP high command regarded Hegde’s comments on Gandhi as unacceptable and that they were unhappy with him.

Opposition parties such as the Congress also criticised Hegde, as well as the BJP party, by saying that they were all “Godse ke Aulad”. Congress MP BK Hariprasad said, “In Parliament, they say something but the real face of the BJP is what Hegde said. This is bigotry by the BJP and double facet. The BJP should take action if they believe in Gandhiji.”