India's ruling party, led by a Gujarati, has a peculiar relationship with the most famous Gujarati of all, given that many of its online stormtroopers often rail against Bapu with some even hailing the killer Nathuram Godse. So, on October 2, as the BJP leaders pay tribute to the Father of the Nation, we take note.
Narendra Modi
Prime minister Narendra Modi celebrated Gandhi’s life and ideals on X. “On behalf of all countrymen, salutations to Pujya Bapu on his birth anniversary. His life and ideals based on truth, harmony and equality will always remain an inspiration for the countrymen,” he wrote in Hindi.
Modi also took part in “Swachhata related activities” to honour 10 years of Swachh Bharat, which was launched on Gandhi Jayanti in 2014.
Yogi Adityanath
Adityanath garlanded a statue of Bapu in Lucknow. “Salute to the memories of revered 'Bapu' who showed the path of upliftment and non-violence to the modern world!” he wrote on X.
Like PM Modi, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh also participated in a cleanliness campaign to celebrate the 10th anniversary of ‘Swach Bharat’.
“Today, on the birth anniversary of the 'Father of the Nation' Mahatma Gandhi, who showed cleanliness as the path of accomplishment, I became a part of the cleanliness campaign in Lucknow,” wrote Yogi.
“I appeal to all of you that on this auspicious occasion, become a part of the cleanliness campaign around you and participate in the creation of 'Clean India - Healthy India',” he added.
Himanta Biswa Sarma
On April 18, 1934, Gandhi dedicated a ‘Naamghar’ or a prayer hall to the Harijans at Assam’s Jorhat. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam recalled the day Harijans gained access to ‘Naamghar’ because of Bapu.
“The Naamghar, belonged to Krishna Nath Sarmah, a Gandhian who worked for the upliftment of Harijans,” Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X. He shared a few pictures of the historic day too.
Bhajanlal Sharma
Chief minister of Rajasthan Bhajanlal Sharma paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Circle in Jaipur.
"On the occasion of the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, who showed the path of non-violence to the entire world, and former Prime Minister of the country and 'Bharat Ratna' Lal Bahadur Shastri, embodiment of simplicity, morality and purity, I paid humble tribute to them at the secretariat today," he later wrote in Hindi on X.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his birthplace in Porbandar.
"Pujya Bapu's life is the message of non-violence to the world. Mahatma Gandhi gave the idea of village upliftment by assimilating the people from the social periphery," Patel said.