Rajnath Singh Pays Homage to Mahatma Gandhi on Death Anniversary

Rajnath Singh, the Defense Minister of India, visited Rajghat to pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi on the anniversary of his death. Singh expressed profound reverence, stating, “I bowed my heart and soul” at the memorial of the Father of the Nation.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, born on October 2, 1869, played a pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence through nonviolent resistance. He inspired global movements for civil rights and freedom, earning the honorific Mahātmā.

Raised in a Hindu family in coastal Gujarat, Gandhi studied law in London and practiced in South Africa, where he initiated nonviolent resistance against discrimination. Returning to India in 1915, he organized campaigns for social justice, women’s rights, and self-rule.

Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide movements for poverty alleviation, religious harmony, and the eradication of untouchability. His iconic Dandi Salt March in 1930 challenged the British-imposed salt tax, marking a pivotal moment in India’s struggle for freedom.

Gandhi’s vision of an independent, pluralistic India faced challenges during the 1940s, with the demand for a separate Muslim homeland. Despite British India’s partition in 1947, Gandhi continued to work for communal harmony, intervening in areas affected by religious violence.

His commitment to nonviolence and humanitarian causes led to several hunger strikes. Tragically, on January 30, 1948, Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist, assassinated Gandhi during an interfaith prayer meeting in Delhi.

Gandhi’s legacy endures, celebrated on October 2 as Gandhi Jayanti in India and globally as the International Day of Nonviolence. Post-independence, he is affectionately known as Bapu, signifying “father” in Gujarati, a testament to his paternal role in shaping the nation’s destiny. Rajnath Singh’s homage reaffirms the continued reverence for Mahatma Gandhi’s principles and sacrifices.