CM Yogi Pays Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on His Punya Tithi

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extends his heartfelt tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his Punya Tithi, honoring the enduring legacy of the revered leader. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, widely known as Bapu, played a pivotal role in India’s fight for independence, employing nonviolent resistance and inspiring civil rights movements globally.

Born on October 2, 1869, in coastal Gujarat, Gandhi’s early life saw him trained in law in London. His commitment to justice led him to South Africa in 1893, where he initiated nonviolent campaigns for civil rights over 21 years. Returning to India in 1915, he organized peasants and laborers against discrimination and excessive land tax, becoming a beacon of hope for the oppressed.

Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi spearheaded campaigns to alleviate poverty, enhance women’s rights, promote religious harmony, eradicate untouchability, and champion self-rule. His attire, the short dhoti woven with hand-spun yarn, symbolized solidarity with India’s rural poor.

Gandhi’s pivotal moments include the historic 400 km Dandi Salt March in 1930 and his call for the British to quit India in 1942. Imprisoned numerous times in South Africa and India, he faced the challenges of religious divisions during the 1947 partition. His efforts to ease post-independence distress, including hunger strikes, reflect his commitment to peace.

The Chief Minister Yogi’s tribute acknowledges Gandhi’s universal impact, marked annually on October 2 as Gandhi Jayanti in India and globally as the International Day of Nonviolence. Gandhi’s vision of a united, religiously pluralistic India endures, with his title ‘Father of the Nation’ reflecting his profound influence on post-colonial India. The endearing term ‘Bapu’ continues to resonate, encapsulating the affection and reverence felt for the iconic leader.