Amid protests by BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena,  Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday once again upped the ante against Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar and dared the Maharasthra Government to stop the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra in the State.

Talking to media persons at Wadegaon in Akola district in Vidarbha region, Rahul alleged that the incarcerated Hindutva ideologue colluded with the British rulers.

Showing documents from the 1920s and reading out a portion of a letter written by Savarkar to the British, Rahul said, “I will read the last line, which says ‘I beg to remain sir, your most obedient servant’ and the letter  is signed by Savarkar. The letter shows he helped the British. When he signed this letter, what was the reason? It was fear. He was afraid of the British.”

Congress partner and former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray reacted to Rahul’s claim, saying.  “We don’t agree with what Rahul Gandhi has said. We have immense respect for VD Savarkar.”

Responding to a query over a demand by Shinde-led Shiv Sena Sena faction leader Rahul Shewale for stopping the ongoing Yatra in the State, an unperturbed Rahul  said, “If the Government wants to stop the Yatra, try and stop.”

Upset with Rahul’s remarks, Savarkar’s grandson  Ranjit Savarkar lodged a complaint against Rahul with the Shivaji Park police station.

In his complaint, Ranjit also demanded that a similar case be registered against Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole for making similar statements against late Savarkar. However, till late on Thursday night, the Shivaji Park had not registered an FIR against Rahul or Patole.

Alluding to an ideological battle that the Congress is waging with the BJP and RSS, Rahul said, “There are two visions. While one is the vision of Savarkar, the other is the vision of Mahatma Gandhi There is a fight between these two visions in the country. Our  party is open to discussion. We have no dictators.”

Charging that the BJP was spreading hatred, fear and violence in the country, the Congress leader said, “The BJP doesn’t speak to farmers and youth...If people thought this yatra was not needed, why lakhs of people have come out in the streets and joined me in support. The yatra has been a learning experience for me and helping me understand people.”

Dismissing the perception that the Opposition has not been able to take on the BJP, Rahul said, “The perception is superficial because the Opposition does not control institutions, media and judiciary.”

Rahul’s reiteration of his stand against Sarvarkar came in the last leg of his yatra in Maharashtra -- a day when Maharashtra’s former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who heads the faction of the Shiv Sena that is in alliance with the Congress in the State, said, “We do not approve of Rahul’s remarks. We have immense respect and faith for Swatyantra Veer Savarkar. It cannot be erased.”

On his part, Shinde on Thursday warned Rahul over remarks against Savarkar and said people of the State will not tolerate any insult directed at the Hindutva ideologue.

On Thursday, the ruling BJP workers staged protests at various places in the State over Rahul’s remarks against Savarkar.

Addressing a rally in Washim district on Tuesday, Rahul  had dubbed  Savarkar as a symbol of the BJP and RSS. “He was jailed in Andaman for two-three years. He started writing mercy petitions to the British,”the Congress leader said.

Seeking to draw comparisons between the tribal  leader tribal l leader Birsa Munda, Rahulk said, “While Sarvarkar wrote letters to the British seeking release from the prison and offering to work with the British during the country’s Independence struggle,  Munda preferred death for the sake of tribals and the country, but refused to work with the British. Munda did not forsake self-respect despite being offered land and money by the British.We the congress idolise Munda.”

On his part,  Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, who has been consistently criticising Rahul for his remarks against Sarvarkar, claimed that Rahul has been “shamelessly lying” about Savarkar.

Hitting back at Fadnavis, Rahul -- quoting from the copy of a letter purportedly written by Sarvarkar to the British seeking mercy - said, “Fadnavis can also have a look at this letter ( where the Hindutva ideologue has written ‘I beg to remain sir, your most obedient servant’ and offered to work with the British).”