Some organisations opposed Quit India Movement : Sonia Gandhi's veiled stinger at BJP

According to reports, Sonia made the comment without taking any name, though it is believed that she meant VD Savarkar, whom the BJP admires and who opposed the great 1942 movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.

Savarkar was with the Hindu Mahasabha when Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement in August 1942.

According to historical documents, he opposed the movement and boycotted it.

"We must not forget that some organizations opposed the Quit India Movement, such organisations had no role in the freedom struggle," Gandhi said while addressing Parliament on the occasion.

Modi's move to observe the day with a fanfare is being seen by many as a political craftsmanship to take away some of the hallow  of the Congress which has traditionally identified itself with the country's freedom and freedom struggle.

But the Congress President also took the opportunity to  to highlight the sacrifices of Congress leaders during the freedom struggle.

"During the freedom struggle, Pandit Nehru spent several years in jail, many Congress workers died in jail," she said

. "A lot of atrocities were committed on the (Indian National Congress) protesters, but no one stepped back."