Congress: Will not lend dignity to row
Invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s stature, the Congress on Friday said it did not want to lend any dignity to the controversial book on the Father of the Nation by suggesting and demanding anything. The party, however, was of the view that it was up to the government to decide on the course of action on the book, which has already been banned.
Claiming that Mahatma Gandhi is “too big, too large”, AICC spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, “Mahatma’s persona is far great, which could be much less affected by insult, slander or criticism. The Father of the Nation himself was so magnanimous.” Mr Singhvi, while responding to a query, however said it did not mean that people could take potshots at the Mahatma at will.
He said Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joseph Lelyveld of Great Soul; Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India has denied the meaning attributed to certain portions in his book, which has raked up a controversy in India.
“We do not want to dignify such observations... Gandhi has an incomparable status. We leave it to the government to consider all appropriate actions,” he said.
Mr Lelyveld has opposed a ban on the book, describing the move as “shameful”.
Union law minister M. Veerappa Moily has already said that there were no plans for any fresh law or changes in existing laws to deal with publications, which cast aspersions on national heroes like Mahatma Gandhi. The book has already been banned by Gujarat and Maharashtra is contemplating banning it.
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