Synopsis
On the 95th anniversary of the Dandi March, PM Modi honored Gandhi's legacy while criticizing Congress for exploiting it for political gain. The Modi government has emphasized genuine tribute compared to past administrations.Key Takeaways
- PM Modi commemorated the Dandi March and Gandhi's legacy on its 95th anniversary.
- Congress used the Dandi March for political advantage in 2005.
- Modi's government focuses on genuine recognition of Gandhi's ideals.
- Historical events should unite rather than divide political entities.
- Gandhi's legacy is crucial to India's identity and independence.
New Delhi, March 12 (NationPress) On the 95th anniversary of the historic Dandi March led by Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the individuals who were part of the pivotal Salt Satyagraha, a crucial moment in India's struggle for freedom.
The Dandi March, also referred to as Salt Satyagraha, sparked a nationwide movement and a surge of civil disobedience.
As the country observes the 95th anniversary of the historic Salt Satyagraha, it is essential to reflect on how this legacy has been both honoured and manipulated by various governments, especially by the UPA and NDA.
Modi Archive, a well-known social media account on X, has compiled insights from different administrations, highlighting how it was used as a political tool by the Congress-led governments and turned into an event exclusive to the Congress party.
This archive asserts that Congress utilized the Dandi March for political gain, diminishing its significance to a mere symbolic occurrence instead of offering a sincere homage to Gandhi ji's legacy. It further states that successive Congress administrations have capitalized on Mahatma Gandhi's name for their own interests while neglecting to uphold his principles.
In contrast, during the celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, an initiative honoring the 75th anniversary of India's Independence, PM Modi inaugurated a commemorative Dandi March, paying deep respect to Gandhi's ethos of self-reliance.
“The 21-day March was not just a reenactment of the original event but also a tribute to Gandhi's spirit of self-sufficiency and resistance. It marked the commencement of a series of events within a year-long national program celebrating India's transition from oppression to independence,” it emphasized.
However, this was not the scenario in 2005, when Congress organized a similar event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Dandi March. According to Modi Archives, the intent of this commemoration was notably different. Rather than a unifying event, it became a politically charged campaign aimed at challenging the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
On January 30, 2005, Sonia Gandhi flagged off the march, which concluded with then PM Manmohan Singh in Dandi.
The X account claims that the March was presented as a direct challenge to Modi's leadership in Gujarat and concentrated on reviving the party's diminishing influence in the state.
This event also faced criticism from various figures, including BJP stalwart L.K. Advani, who condemned the grand old party for diminishing the national movement into a partisan occasion.
He pointed out that such a historically significant march should have included participation from all political factions and leaders, including the Gujarat CM, yet Congress's political motivations led to his exclusion.
The Congress-organized march was also criticized for sidelining numerous Gandhian luminaries and monopolizing Gandhi's legacy.
Numerous organizations, such as the Gujarat Sarvodaya Mandal and Gujarat Khadi Mandal, opted out, accusing Congress of leveraging Gandhi's legacy for political gain.
Veteran Gandhians refrained from participating, asserting that the event was staged not to honor Mahatma Gandhi but to advance Congress's political agenda.
Concerns were raised regarding Congress's understanding of the significance of the Salt Satyagraha, which represented the rights of the people over resources and resistance against colonial exploitation.
In 2007, the then Gujarat Chief Minister wrote to PM Manmohan Singh, requesting expedited action on the commitments made in 2005 regarding the 75th-anniversary commemoration of the Dandi March. Later, at an event, he also criticized the UPA for reducing Gandhi's historic March to a mere token event.
It was only after Narendra Modi assumed the role of Prime Minister that Gandhi ji's legacy received genuine acknowledgment.
On January 30, 2019, PM Modi inaugurated the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial (NSSM) in Dandi, Gujarat. This project was originally announced by the then PM Manmohan Singh in 2005 but remained unfulfilled under the UPA government.
“From minimizing the 75th anniversary of the Dandi March to a party-centric event to neglecting commitments made in Gandhi's name, Congress's approach has been motivated by self-interest rather than reverence. In contrast, the Modi administration has ensured that Gandhiji's legacy is honored not just in spirit but through tangible actions,” stated the X account.
