Mumbai: Donald Trump may have called Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘Father of India’, but Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson Tushar Gandhi is not impressed. He wondered whether the US President may also like to replace George Washington with himself.
Tushar Gandhi also said that the government’s plans to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in a grand manner, is ‘only symbolic’.
Last week, Donald Trump heaped praise on Narendra Modi, who was visiting the US. He said, “I remember India before was very torn. There was a lot of dissension, fighting and he (Modi) brought it all together. Like a father would. Maybe he is the father of India.”
Reacting to the US President’s comment, Tushar Gandhi said, “Those who feel the need to replace the father of the nation with a new one are welcome. Donald Trump may also like to replace George Washington (one of the founding fathers of the United States) with himself.”
The 59-year-old is the son of journalist Arun Gandhi, grandson of Manilal Gandhi and great-grandson of the Mahatma.
Tushar Gandhi also spoke his mind about a a section of the right-wing in India glorifying Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse.
“Time will judge what is better. Those who worship hate and violence can praise (Nathuram) Godse. I will not have any grudge against them. It is their right as I have the right to worship Bapu. I welcome them,” Tushar Gandhi pointed out.
Tushar Gandhi who is a managing trustee of the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation said that instead of celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Bapu, his thoughts should be propagated.
“Bapu’s thoughts and ideology can be applied everywhere, as in life and in administration, but sadly that does not happen. Mahatma Gandhi has been reduced to a symbol, like on currency notes and on ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ posters,” Tushar Gandhi pointed out.
“Society should understand Mahatma’s ideology, which has proven to be timeless and has inspired mass movements across the world,” added Tushar Gandhi.
Gandhian thought is the ideology of ‘sustainability’ and is gaining global acceptance at a time when intolerant and extremist ideologies seem to be strengthening, Tushar Gandhi stated.
PTI
