BJP MP from Karnataka Anantkumar Hegde at a public event in Bengaluru attacked Mahatma Gandhi alleging his freedom struggle as a mere drama that was staged with consent of British. Hegde was quoted by news agency ANI as saying, "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."
Hedgde declared, “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.” Karnataka Congress spokesperson VS Ugrappa tore into the BJP leader for his comments, saying he should be sent to a mental hospital for talking like this.