A Gandhian social service organisation in Varanasi has written to US President Joe Biden and other G20 leaders who recently visited New Delhi to draw global attention to a “systematic effort” by the ruling party in India to “erase the ideas” of the Mahatma.
“Even when the government uses the name of Gandhi as part of India’s soft power diplomacy, a systematic effort is made to erase the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi either by spreading false propaganda against Gandhi or by distorting Gandhian views or attacking Gandhian organizations...,” said the letter dated September 20 from Chandan Pal, president of the Sarva Seva Sangh, the apex body of all Gandhian institutes in the country.
On July 22, Uttar Pradesh police had barged into the Varanasi branch of the Seva Sangh, marking a takeover of the six-decade-old institute. The government claims the institute stands on 13 acres of encroached-on railway land. The Seva Sangh denies the charge. On August 12, bulldozers sent by the Yogi Adityanath government demolished 12 buildings of the institute.
The letter notes how, in keeping with the tradition of visiting leaders, the G20 leaders visited Rajghat to pay tributes to Gandhi on September 10.
“It is heartening that world leaders... also paid their respectful tribute to the Father of the Nation... at Rajghat Samadhi, accompanied by the Prime Minister of India. But I am sorry to draw your kind attention to the fact that though the United Nations has declared the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi (2nd October) as ‘International Non-violence Day’ as a mark of respect, unfortunately, in our country, the party in power is hostile to Mahatma Gandhi and Gandhian organizations,” it said.
The letter cites the examples of the Sabarmati Ashram (established by Gandhi in 1915) and Gujarat Vidyapith (university established by Gandhi in 1920).
The government’s plans to redevelop the Gandhi Ashram in Sabarmati has been mired in controversy, with many saying that the ashram’s sanctity and dignity are under threat from the project that plans to build a theme park of sorts, complete with a VIP lounge, food courts and new built-up units. Around 250 families, descendants of the ashramwasis brought over by Gandhiji, have been forced to vacate the premises.
Gujarat’s governor, Acharya Devvrat, was appointed the chancellor of the Gujarat Vidyapith last year. It was the first time in 102 years that the top post went to a non-Gandhian.
The letter points to “the most recent case of forcefully occupying and demolishing several Gandhian heritage buildings at Rajghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, throwing out the most valuable Gandhian books to the open field with the direct support from Uttar Pradesh State Government”.
Gandhians take part in a Virasat Bachao Nyay Padyatra (Save Legacy and March for Justice) in Varanasi earlier this month The Telegraph
“Turning Nelson’s eye to functionaries of the ruling party engaged in Gandhi-bashing also became a pastime of the government. The central government did not speak against this brutal action and seemingly colluded with this cowardly act. This demonstrates the government’s hypocrisy and systematic attempt to destroy everything Gandhi stood for,” the letter said.
Pal, the Seva Sangh president, who was in Jaipur, Rajasthan, to inaugurate a memorial to Gandhi, told this newspaper over the phone that the letter was meant to draw the attention of the world leaders to “how the largest democracy in the world was treating its foremost icon”.
“They bowed their heads at Rajghat along with Narendra Modi. But the leaders should also know the actual intentions of the Indian government. That it has launched an attack on everything Gandhi stood for,” he said.
The letter has been sent to 17 heads of states. “We have e-mailed them and sent air mails as well,” Pal said.
“We appeal to all the world leaders to play their persuasive role in stopping this farce and restoring Gandhian ashrams and organizations to keep the memory and ideals of Gandhi alive, which will be a true homage to him,” the letter said.
The Seva Sangh in Varanasi housed the Gandhi Vidya Sansthan, an institute that held classes on Gandhian philosophy and was co-founded by Jayprakash Narayan to propagate the non-violent ideas of Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave.
The Seva Sangh and other Gandhian organisations have started protest marches and street meetings in Varanasi.
“We started a campaign on September 11, the birth anniversary of Vinoba Bhave. It will conclude on October 11, the birth anniversary of Jayprakash Narayan. We are telling people about the injustice meted out to the Seva Sangh is an attack on everything Gandhi represented,” said Nandlal Master, one of the organisers.
Every day, a group of Gandhians are walking in Varanasi, organising small meetings in crossroads and markets.
“From October 2, we will reach out to rural areas,” said Nandlal.