Government booklet on Mahatma Gandhi sparks off controversy; Congress demands resignation of the CM

Prameyanews English

Published By : Prameya News Bureau | November 15, 2019 IST

Bhubaneswar, 15/11:  A government booklet on Mahatma Gandhi  sparked off a controversy on Wednesday with the Opposition Congress demanding an apology or resignation of the  chief minister. The error on the part of the government was even condemned by ruling BJD ministers, while the BJP maintained stoic silence. {"id":20466,"sizeSlug":"large"} The booklet published by the state school and mass education department mentions that Mahatma Gandhi’s death had taken place on January 30, 1948 caused due to accidental  consequence of events. This has sparked off a row as every body knows that Gandhiji was shot down by Nathuram Godse. {"id":20467,"sizeSlug":"large"} The issue was agitated in the assembly during the Question Hour and Zero Hour on Wednesday, forcing the Speaker to direct the School and Mass  Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash to place a statement on the matter in the House tomorrow. The issue figured during the Question Hour today, when Congress veteran Narasingha Mishra suggested sarcastically to the government to allot land for construction temples to worship Nathuram Godse. Referring the booklet, Mishra said it was disrespect to the Father of Nation.  “ The chief minister should tender public apology if the mistake was done unknowingly. But he should resign if it was a deliberate mistake”, said the former Leader of Opposition and former law minister of the state. Alleging  that BJD and BJP have a secret understanding, Mishra said, “ Both the parties are trying to mislead the people and especially youngsters on the cause of Gandhiji’s death. A section of BJP leaders  are worshipping Gandhi killer Nathuram Godse. Even some them shot at Gandhiji’s photo on his birth anniversary.  Was it (the statement in the booklet) an effort to give a clean chit to Godse ?” he asked. Even BJD MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said the statement no doubt was a disrespect to Mahatma. It should be condemned by all.  His party colleague Amar Prasad Satpathy said the booklet should be corrected. Former Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera said, “ Let us hear the statement of the school and mass education minister first”. Congress MLA SS Saluja and Tara Prasad Bahinipati demanded that the booklet be withdrawn.However, BJP members remained silent over the issue. Meanwhile,Rashtriya Yuva Sangathan has announced to gherao the official residence of the state school and mass education minister over the issue tomorrow, while veteran Gandhian leaders have sought the intervention of the chief minister.

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