Hegde clarifies Gandhi remark, BJP to judge

Former Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde has replied to the notice he was served on Monday after his objectionable remarks on Mahatma Gandhi. The reply was sent to BJP president J.P. Nadda, who in turn has forwarded it to the BJP's disciplinary committee.

Now the BJP's disciplinary committee will study his reply and decide whether it was an unintended faux pas or gross violation of party discipline.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is believed to be "very upset" with Ananthkumar Hegde's comments on Gandhi, say sources.

The notice that was served to Hegde sought to know why action should not be taken against the BJP lawmaker. The BJP is also mulling him to block him from attending the BJP's parliamentary party meeting for the rest of the budget session.

This strong action against Hegde was being thought about, after the Prime Minister expressed his deep displeasure to the BJP top brass on Monday. The BJP too thinks it to be counter productive, given the fact that the BJP-led Centre celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi amid much fanfare.

While addressing an event in Bengaluru, Hegde had termed the freedom movement as "drama". He said that "the freedom movement was staged with consent and support of the British" and that "it was not a genuine fight, but was an adjustment freedom struggle."