Pics: Adithya Aithal

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Jan 30: “The same Gandhiji, who breathed his last uttering ‘Ram,’ is now termed as a Hindu enemy,” said Nikethraj Maurya, Congress spokesperson, during the Gandhi Bharatha program organized to commemorate 100 years of the Belgavi Congress session, held under the presidency of Mahatma Gandhi, at Hiriyadka on January 30.

Maurya continued, “This country became orphaned with the loss of Gandhi. A successful lawyer, Gandhi returned to India to drive the British out. He travelled across India, half-naked, taking an oath to remain so until Indian women were allowed to wear full clothes. When Gandhi died, the entire world mourned. He knew how to expel the British. Today, we are able to sit together and enter temples because of the Constitution framed by Ambedkar. If the Constitution is preserved, equality will be preserved. The Constitution empowered women, giving them equal rights, thanks to Ambedkar.”

Former MP Jayaprakash Hegde remarked, “They did not read the Constitution to make changes in it. While it may be possible for them to bring about changes, we will not accept it. The Constitution was created with a deep understanding of the people's issues. When Pakistan was formed, people wanted to leave the country, and those who remained in India—belonging to various castes and religions—wanted to live together. When Mahatma Gandhi passed away, the entire world lowered its flags. When asked why, the secretary said that with his death, humanity itself had died. It is important for everyone to understand history. We do not need a new Constitution.”

KPCC Campaign Committee president Vinay Kumar Sorake in his introductory note, said, “While Gandhiji’s message emphasised truth, peace, and non-violence, Nathuram Godse, who assassinated him, represented violence. The Constitution unites everyone. Dr Ambedkar, once treated as an untouchable, went on to earn 29 doctorates. We must work to protect our Constitution and be prepared to fight for it. This is the first time we are chanting Jai Bapu, Jai Bheem, Jai Samvidhan here.”

The programme was inaugurated with the turning off of the Gandhi Charkha. Jayavanth Rao welcomed the gathering.

Udupi District Congress president Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, working president of Udupi district Congress Kishan Hegde Kolkebail, former MLA Gopal Poojary, president of the Guarantee Implementation Committee Ramesh Kanchan, Congress members Sudheer Kumar Maroli, M A Gafoor, Santhosh Kumar Pakkal, Veronica Cornelio, Prasadraj Kanchan, Muniyal Uday Kumar Shetty, Dinesh Hegde Molahalli, Sheik Vahid, Raju Poojary, Vishwas Amin, and various Block Congress presidents were also present on the occasion.