Tushar Gandhi slams PM Modi’s Gandhiji statement: Who is the real ignoramus?

Tushar Gandhi, addressing a mass meeting in Kotva village, Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement about Mahatma Gandhi and leveraging his legacy, has set the cat amongst the poll pigeons. The opposition and Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson Tushar Gandhi cleaved into Modi after the PM reportedly stated that the 1982 Richard Attenborough's film ‘Gandhi' was largely responsible for Bapuji's recognition and past leaders had failed to promote or leverage his legacy. The PM had reportedly stated, "the first time the Gandhi film was made, there was curiosity about who he is. If the world knows about Martin Luther King, South Africa's Nelson Mandela, Gandhi wasn't any less than them."

The mirth
Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhiji's great grandson reacted, "I burst out laughing when I heard PM Narendra Modi's statement about Mahatma Gandhi. I was in Benares and amidst all the buzz there, this gave me some moments of mirth." Tushar Gandhi pointed out that there were contradictions within Modi's statement itself. He said, "The PM said Bapuji was not as popular as Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. In fact, Martin Luther King's civil rights movement was inspired by Gandhiji's non-violence/Satyagraha ideology. Nelson Mandela is reported to have said to felt Gandhi's presence in his cell at Robben Island." Tushar Gandhi called Modi "ignorant" and added, "World leaders knew about Gandhi much before the Richard Attenborough film in 1982. Yet, how can one argue intellectually with an ignoramus?" He also accused the PM of using such utterances as, "diversions as he cannot answer the opposition and this is to move the focus away from the rule of inefficiency."

The other side
Yet, Modi has his supporters who have hit back. Vishal Tibrewala RSS swayamsevak said, "The PM has actually spoken very highly of Gandhiji. Yet, it is the ignorant who will never understand this." Vineet Jindal Supreme Court advocate stated, "The accountability of ensuring that the world knows about Mahatma Gandhi rings true, considering that the Indian Government made no significant efforts at the time to share his vision, values, and virtues. Gandhi, a pivotal figure in India's struggle for freedom, epitomised true values and non-violence, foundational to humanity.

While Gandhi's endeavours gained him recognition internationally, it was Richard Attenborough's film ‘Gandhi' that truly brought him to the global stage. Indian leaders of the time should have been proactive in spreading Gandhi's ideas, yet they often exploited his name for political gain. Merely assuming Gandhi's popularity was sufficient for global propagation overlooks our responsibility. India, blessed with such a legendary figure, failed to adequately promote Gandhi's ideals to the world in the past."

Shaina NC, BJP spokesperson, slammed back, "History is created by selfless service to society. Modiji has dedicated his life to the service of all Indians and proved his worth by his work. Tushar Gandhi is nothing to talk about other than his surname."

1982
Year the film Gandhi was made