Hindutva champion Shiv Sena is in no mood to let go of the Veer Savarkar plaque issue.
The party will celebrate a nine-day-long Savarkar Utsav on the 122nd birth anniversary of the fiery leader at Goregaon, in Mumbai, to educate youth about the various achievements of Veer Savarkar.
The Savarkar controversy started when Congress leader and Union Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar had ordered the removal of a plaque with a message by Savarkar from the historic Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Shiv Sena had condemned Aiyar's move, and banned him in Maharashtra.
The party forced Aiyar to leave Mumbai, on two occasions, without attending the functions he was invited for.
Recently, Shiv Sena party workers attacked the office of the magazine, Business Today, who had invited Aiyar for a function at the Taj hotel in Mumbai.
Aiyar went back to Delhi without attending the function, and criticised the Mumbai police for it.
"Young people are not aware of the various achievements of Savarkar. This festival will teach them about Savarkar, his thoughts and their relevance in today life," said senior Shiv Sena leader and legislator Subhash Desai.
Desai is organising the Savarkar festival in his assembly constituency, Goregaon West.
Through this festival, the Shiv Sena may revive their agitation against Aiyar and the Congress Party.
"We are very clear that we will not allow Aiyar to attend any function in Mumbai," Desai said.
Congress leaders in Maharashtra had not supported Aiyar's move on the Savarkar issue, as they did not want to be known as anti-Savarkar, which could affect their vote bank in the state.
The Savarkar Utsav will include the display of rare photos and books of the leader, a film based on his life, seminars and debates, and elocution, drawing, drama and dance competitions.
However, the highlight of the event will be the rangoli competition. Participants will draw rangolis in an area of 5,555 square feet.
The function will be attended by Lt Governor Ram Kapse, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and former Lok Sabha speaker Manohar Joshi.
