On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh made a resolute commitment to "unmask and unveil the utter hypocrisy" exhibited by individuals who appropriate symbols associated with Mahatma Gandhi but fail to uphold the core values he epitomized.
The Congress, marking Gandhi Jayanti on Monday, expressed its determination to "expose" the "blatant hypocrisy" of those who lay claim to Gandhian symbols and showcase his legacy globally while displaying a clear inability and reluctance to adhere to the principles he ardently championed.
The opposition party further resolved to labor towards the triumph of "truth over falsehood" and ensure that a politics characterized by compassion prevails over the "politics of animosity, retribution, and bias."
Paying profound tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary, the party's chief, Mallikarjun Kharge, lauded him not just as an individual but as an embodiment of an ideology and the moral compass guiding the nation.
Kharge paid his respects by offering floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial in Rajghat, New Delhi.
In a statement posted on a social platform, he expressed, "Mahatma Gandhi ji is not merely an individual; he represents an idea, an ideology, and the ethical compass of our great nation."
Kharge went on to emphasize, "His principles of truth, non-violence, freedom, equality, and coexistence hold enduring significance. On his Jayanti, we humbly pay our respects to Bapu's ideals."
In a Hindi-language message shared on another platform, Rahul Gandhi paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi, portraying him as the guiding light who showed people the path of truth, non-violence, harmony, and a unified India.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, on this Gandhi Jayanti, called upon people to stand in solidarity with Gandhian organizations across various parts of the country, particularly in Varanasi, Ahmedabad, and New Delhi, which are currently facing challenges and assaults from forces that not only opposed Mahatma Gandhi throughout his life but also played a significant role in fostering an environment that led to his assassination.
Ramesh urged a collective commitment to combat those elements that glorify the ideas and actions of Godse.
He remarked, "On this Gandhi Jayanti, let us unveil the complete and unmitigated hypocrisy of those who appropriate symbols associated with Gandhi—his iconic spectacles, spinning wheel (charkha), and walking stick—and project his legacy to the world, yet they are simply incapable and unwilling to uphold all the values he ardently advocated and ultimately sacrificed his life for."
Ramesh also called upon people to remember that Mahatma Gandhi embodied complete transparency and openness in his actions and harbored no feelings of vindictiveness towards his adversaries.
He stressed that Gandhi unequivocally rejected bigotry, prejudice, and hatred, and never exploited religion to inflame the passions of people. Vengeance and showmanship were entirely alien to his character, Ramesh added.
He concluded by saying, "On this Gandhi Jayanti, let us all make a resolution to work towards the victory of truth over falsehood, ensuring that a politics marked by compassion prevails over the politics of hatred, retribution, and bias."
In a statement shared on another social platform, the Congress conveyed, "On Gandhi Jayanti, we extend a billion tributes to the Mahatma, whose unwavering dedication to the cause of freedom secured India's Independence."
"We pledge that his values of peace, unity, and non-violence—the very foundation of our nation—continue to guide us as our beacon of light," the party affirmed.
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