Cong, BJP, NC pay homage to Gandhi, Shastri
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 2: Paying homage to father of nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th Birth Anniversary, Pradesh Congress today said that philosophy of Gandhi Ji is more relevant today during the politics of hate and vendetta in the country.
Congress celebrated 150th birth anniversary of father of nation Mahatma Gandhi today at Gandhi Chowk Satwari in which most of the senior leaders of PCC, District Congress Committee and Frontal organizations of the party attended.
Floral tributes were also paid to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary today.
The Congress leaders and workers paid silent tributes as they bore white band on their mouth to convey their protest against restrictions to the freedom of speech and various kinds of restrictions on opposition leaders in the State since August 5.
The Seva Dal workers in their traditional white uniform coordinated the function and sung the national Antham and patriotic songs of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Congress Party conveyed its strong resentment over the unjustified restrictions imposed on all sorts of political activity except by BJP during all these days, which is against the basic spirit of democracy and freedom attained by this country under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi who led the freedom struggle.
Briefing media persons on the sidelines of the function, PCC chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said that Gandhi Ji fought for freedom and democracy and was martyred for his idea of India. Today, democracy is under threat from various quarters and opposition is denied the freedom of speech which is basis of freedom and democracy. Congress has conveyed its great concern by silently as a mark of respect to philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi which is under threat today.
Prominent leaders who attended the function include – Tara Chand, Mula Ram, Raman Bhalla, Kanta Bhan, Ravinder Sharma, Yogesh Sawhney, Manmohan Singh, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, Parkash Sharma, Manjeet Singh, Vikram Malhotra, Ch Gharu Ram, Indu Pawar, Th Shiv Dev Singh, Maheshwar Singh, HS Mehta, Rajesh Sadotra (Seva Dal), Udhey Chib (Youth Congress) Shashi Sharma, Pawan Raina, Thomas Khokhar, Narinder Sharma, Dr RK Khajuria, Gourav Chopra, Dwarka Choudhary, Satish Sharma, Sobat Ali and others. Many functions were held at various places across the state in this connection.
On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti BJP launched the Gandhi Sankalap Yatra today. The yatra was kick started by party’s national general secretary, Ram Madhav near Main Stop Janipur which passed through Janipur Main road, various inroads of Janipur, Rehari and other adjoining areas, ultimately culminating in Om Palace, Lower Shiv Nagar.
BJP Sate president, Ravinder Raina, MP (Lok Sabha) Jugal Kishore Sharma, former Dy. CM Dr. Nirmal Singh, former Dy. CM Kavinder Gupta, former Ministers Sat Sharma, Bali Bhagat, State general secretary, Yudhvir Sethi, Mayor JMC, Chander Mohan Gupta, MLCs Vikram Randhawa, Ramesh Arora, former MLA, Rajesh Gupta, Sanjay Baru, Arvind Gupta, Praduman Singh, Veenu Khanna, Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, Ayodhya Gupta, Baldev Singh Billawaria, Jeet Angral, Surinder Sharma, Dinesh Gupta, Dr. Akshay Sharma and other senior leaders from the State along with hundreds of BJP activists participated in the event.
Ram Madhav, while addressing the gathering before starting foot march, congratulated everyone on 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi Ji and gave his respects to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri whose 115th birth anniversary also falls today.
Ravinder Raina, said that this is really proud moment for us that we are celebrating 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on this scale.
Jugal Kishore Sharma, in his address, said that this Yatra will promote awareness about Swadeshi movement, avoidance of single use plastics, Swastha Bharat Mission, Swacchta Abhiyaan, Self-Reliance, Truthfulness, and other great thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi .
Meanwhile many prominent Muslim faces along with their supporters, today joined BJP after proceeding with symbolic “Gandhi Sankalp Yatra” in the presence of BJP State general secretary Yudhvir Sethi at party headquarter, Trikuta Nagar.
State office secretary Tilak Raj Gupta, State press secretary Dr. Pardeep Mahotra and other senior BJP leaders were present on the occasion, while district vice-president Pardeep Singh, Mandal president, Bhagwan Singh, Bansi Lal, Mohd. Rafiq from 57- Gulabgarh constituency organized the programme.
Recalling the rich legacy of non-violence and human dignity bequeathed by Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi to posterity, National Conference (NC) provincial president Devender Singh Rana today said that Bapu’s idea of secular India is continuing to inspire the entire world, transcending ethnic and geographical boundaries and barriers.
“The best tribute to the apostle of peace on his 150th birth anniversary therefore would be to rededicate ourselves to preserve his idea of India based on religious tolerance, equality, justice, love and compassion”, said Rana. Accompanied among others by Surjeet Singh Slathia, Rattan Lal Gupta, Thakur Rachpal Singh at a function organized by Gandhi Global Family, paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
The provincial president said that it is matter of pride for the people of Jammu and Kashmir that when the entire Subcontinent was engulfed by communal frenzy during the horrendous days of partition, the Mahatama Gandhi saw ray of light emanating from this State. This, he said, was an acknowledgement of the commitment of people here to secularism and love for human values.
On Gandhi Jayanti, Rana reiterated his party’s firm resolve to uphold democracy, secularism, communal harmony and the brotherhood which has always been the corner stone of glorious ethos of Jammu and Kashmir and urged all to take a pledge that God gives everyone the courage to be the torch bearers of the ray of Hope that the Father of the Nation saw in J&K in 1947.
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