Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to freedom fighter and social activist Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly called Veer Savarkar, on the latter’s 137th birth anniversary on Thursday.

In a tweet posted from his official Twitter handle, the PM wrote,”On his Jayanti, I bow to the courageous Veer Savarkar. We remember him for his bravery, motivating several others to join the freedom struggle and emphasis on social reform.”

On his Jayanti, I bow to the courageous Veer Savarkar. We remember him for his bravery, motivating several others to join the freedom struggle and emphasis on social reform. pic.twitter.com/o83mXmgp1S

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 28, 2020

Remembring Veer SavarkarSavarkar, a prominent leader of the Hindu Mahasabha during the freedom struggle, remains a divisive figure in Indian politics, particularly over his Hindutva ideology and allegations he had links to Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi. Savarkar had been arrested following Gandhi’s assassination, but was acquitted by the court. and emphasis on social reform.