Chennai, Jan 29: In a significant move aimed at promoting religious harmony and unity, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged DMK functionaries to organise programmes across the state on January 30, marking the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Stalin emphasised the need for fostering religious acceptance and took a dig at the RSS and BJP during his statement.Stalin remarked, “Even after 75 years of Independence, communalists are still angry with Mahatma Gandhi. It is a continuation of the story that the right-wing forces denigrate Gandhi whenever they get a chance. They are trying to destroy the multi-faceted nature of India by tarnishing the fame of Mahatma Gandhi, who is a symbol of the unity of the whole of India.”
The Chief Minister criticised Governor Ravi’s statement that ‘India did not get freedom because of Gandhi,’ attributing it to malicious intent. Stalin accused certain groups of attempting to erase traces of Gandhi’s legacy by changing his birth anniversary into initiatives like ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.’ He also highlighted the Tamil Nadu government’s intervention in stopping an RSS procession on October 2, which sought to undermine Gandhi’s contributions.
Stalin urged party cadre to observe Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary as a day of religious harmony throughout the state, emphasizing the collective duty to uphold the principles of unity and tolerance.