New Delhi [India], March 15 (ANI): Reacting to the statement of AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Saturday said that the service and contribution of Veer Savarkar for the country cannot be forgotten.

'The service and contribution that Veer Savarkar has done for this country cannot be forgotten. If someone sees his works through the lens of a particular religion, then it is their thinking. Similarly, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the pride of our country,' Sirsa told ANI.

Owaisi had also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for appreciating the movie 'Chhava' which portrays the legendary story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

Earlier on Friday, the AIMIM Chief alleged that 'the worst words for Sambhaji Maharaj were used by late RSS leader MS Golwalkar in his book Bunch of Thoughts and Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar also used worst words for Sambhaji Maharaj.'

Speaking at the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in New Delhi on February 22, PM Modi lauded Maharashtra's significant contribution to both Marathi and Hindi cinema.

PM Modi said, 'Ye Maharashtra aur Mumbai hi hai jisne Marathi filmon ke saath-saath, Hindi cinema ko ye unchai di hai. Aur in dino toh, Chhaava ki dhoom machi hui hai.' (Maharashtra and Mumbai have elevated Hindi cinema along with Marathi films, and Chhaava is making waves these days.)

Delhi Minister Sirsa also attacked Owaisi and said that it is sad that the police have to be vigilant in the cities so that people can celebrate Holi.

'It is very sad that the police have to be vigilant in the cities so that Holi festival can be celebrated. You should have come forward. I especially request that if a religious festival comes once a year, then such obstacles should not be created in it due to which people of other religions also have to face problems,' he added.

Owaisi on Friday criticized calls for Muslims to stay indoors or cover themselves during Holi, asserting the community's strength by saying, 'We will not run, we are not cowards.'

'Some say if you're so scared, you should not offer namaz and stay indoors. They say just like we have covered our mosques, we must cover ourselves also, or else stay indoors,' Owaisi said while addressing a gathering at Chowk-e-Masjid in Telangana's Hyderabad.

His remarks were in response to statements by some officials advising Muslims to remain indoors if they did not want to be colored during Holi. (ANI)