Our Belief in Mahatma Gandhi's Hindutva: CM Siddaramaiah

Belagavi (Karnataka), Jan 21 (NationPress) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared on Tuesday that the Congress party adheres to Mahatma Gandhi's Hindutva, emphasizing that he was a genuine devotee of Ram.

Addressing an audience at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha during the inauguration of the Mahatma Gandhi Statue, the CM remarked, "Mahatma Gandhi, who was a devoted follower of Ram and an ideal Hindu, was assassinated by the BJP Parivar’s Godse. We embrace Gandhi’s Hindutva, while the BJP Parivar adheres to the violent ideology of Godse."

"Gandhi’s Hindutva was rooted in love, harmony, and equality. In contrast, the BJP Parivar contradicts these values, harbors animosity towards Gandhi’s teachings, and acts against the Constitution and Ambedkar’s principles," Siddaramaiah conveyed.

He continued, "Our objective is to impart Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophies to the upcoming generations more profoundly. With a commitment to realizing Gandhi’s vision of Gram Swaraj, we will advance with the 'Jai Bapu - Jai Bhim - Jai Samvidhan' initiative."

Siddaramaiah reminisced that a century ago, Mahatma Gandhi led a session of the Congress party in Karnataka, igniting the flame of the freedom struggle in this very region.

The historic Belagavi session occurred on December 25 and 26, 1924, during which Mahatma Gandhi was elected as the President of the AICC. It marked the first and only occasion he held this position, he noted.

“It is unforgettable that in Karnataka’s land, in Belagavi, Mahatma Gandhi assumed leadership as the President of the AICC and sparked the freedom movement in the nation. In his address, Mahatma spoke of truth, non-violence, equality, rural advancement, and emphasized women’s empowerment,” he stated.

"However, the BJP is portraying Mahatma Gandhi as anti-Hindu, which is a gross misrepresentation. In his final moments after being shot, Mahatma Gandhi called out to Lord Ram. He uttered ‘Hey Ram’ before his demise. We need no further proof. He is a true Hindu, and we require no more evidence to affirm it,” the CM asserted.

“Mahatma Gandhi was not an adversary of Hinduism; he sought reforms within it and envisioned Hindus and Muslims coexisting as brothers,” he expressed.

"In addition to achieving independence, he had a vision for how the governments and ministers in our country should operate. Numerous sages and reformers have denounced the caste system and endeavored to transform society. These ideals are encapsulated in Ambedkar’s Constitution. The Congress party stands for the Constitution, while the BJP opposes us. We must uphold democracy and the Constitution, which will, in turn, safeguard us,” CM Siddaramaiah remarked.

“We must prevent the BJP from altering the Constitution. They have been attempting this for years. Future generations must remain cognizant of these challenges and engage in self-reflection,” he concluded.