Nitish Kumar pays tribute to Gandhi on his birth anniversary
Synopsis
Former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar offered tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 155th birth anniversary on 2 October 2026, urging citizens to follow Bapu's path of brotherhood and harmony to move the nation forward.
Key Takeaways
Former Bihar CM and JDU national president Nitish Kumar posted a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Gandhi Jayanti, 2 October 2026 .
He offered 'shata-shata naman' — a hundredfold salute — to the Father of the Nation.
Kumar called on citizens to follow Gandhi's ideals and make a resolve to carry his legacy forward.
He linked Gandhian teachings to fostering brotherhood and communal harmony in society.
Gandhi Jayanti is also observed globally as the International Day of Non-Violence .
On the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar offered a heartfelt tribute to the Father of the Nation on Friday, 2 October 2026, calling on citizens to follow Bapu's ideals and carry his legacy forward.
Posting in Hindi on X, Kumar wrote: 'राष्ट्रपिता महात्मा गांधी जी को उनकी जयंती पर शत्-शत् नमन।' — 'A hundredfold salute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on his birth anniversary.' He urged people to embrace Gandhi's values and resolve to spread them, adding that the path and teachings shown by Bapu would sustain an atmosphere of brotherhood and harmony in society, and propel the nation forward.
Gandhi Jayanti and its political resonance
Gandhi Jayanti, observed every 2 October, is a national holiday in India and is also recognised by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-Violence. For political leaders across the spectrum, the occasion carries deep symbolic weight — a moment to invoke non-violence, communal harmony, and self-reliance, values woven into India's founding narrative.
Kumar, who heads the Janata Dal (United) as its national president and has served as Bihar's Chief Minister across multiple terms, has consistently drawn on Gandhian themes of social harmony and grassroots development throughout his political career. His invocation of 'brotherhood and harmony' — bhaichare aur sadbhav — carries particular resonance in Bihar, a state with a complex social fabric where communal amity remains a recurring political touchstone.
Point of View
Consensus-seeking force. The invocation of Gandhian ideals also aligns with Kumar's broader governance brand built around development and social order. On a day when every major leader posts tribute, the specific language chosen — resolve, forward movement, harmony — quietly frames his own political identity as much as it honours Gandhi.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 2 October celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti?
2 October is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi , the Father of the Nation, born in 1869 . It is a national holiday in India and is also observed as the International Day of Non-Violence by the United Nations.
What did Nitish Kumar say on Gandhi Jayanti 2026?
Nitish Kumar offered tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, called for citizens to follow his ideals, and said that Gandhian teachings would sustain brotherhood and harmony in society and help the nation progress.
What does 'shata-shata naman' mean?
Shata-shata naman is a Hindi expression meaning 'a hundredfold salute' or 'deepest reverence' — a traditional, emphatic way of paying homage to a revered figure.
Who is Nitish Kumar?
Nitish Kumar is a veteran Indian politician, the national president of Janata Dal (United) , and a long-serving former Chief Minister of Bihar , known for his focus on law-and-order and development governance.
What is the International Day of Non-Violence?
The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October every year, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly to spread the message of non-violence globally.
