Criticism over PM Modi’s Claim on Mahatma Gandhi’s Global Recognition
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sparked controversy with his recent claim that the world only became aware of Mahatma Gandhi after the release of the 1982 movie ‘Gandhi’ directed by Richard Attenborough. In an interview with news channel ABP, Modi stated that it was the nation’s responsibility to give Gandhi global recognition in the last 75 years.
He emphasized, “Mahatma Gandhi was a great soul in the world. In these 75 years, was it not our responsibility to inform the world about Mahatma Gandhi? No one knew about him. Forgive me, but the first time there was curiosity about him in the world was when the film ‘Gandhi’ was made. We did not do it.”
Modi further compared Gandhi to other renowned leaders like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, asserting that Gandhi was no less significant than them. However, his remarks drew criticism from the Congress party, with senior leader Jairam Ramesh accusing the Prime Minister of “destroying the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.”
Ramesh took to social media to express his disapproval, stating, “It seems the outgoing prime minister lives in a world where Mahatma Gandhi was not recognized worldwide before 1982. If anyone has destroyed the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, it is the outgoing prime minister himself.”
The Congress leader also highlighted the ideological differences between the RSS and Mahatma Gandhi, attributing the environment created by their ideology to the assassination of Gandhi by Nathuram Godse. Ramesh concluded by asserting that the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024 would be a battle between the followers of Mahatma Gandhi and those of Godse, with the defeat of the outgoing Prime Minister and his supporters being inevitable.
The Prime Minister’s comments have reignited debates about Gandhi’s global influence and the role of political leaders in preserving his legacy. The controversy surrounding Modi’s remarks underscores the ongoing tensions between different political ideologies in India.
