NEW DELHI: After facing backlash from all quarters, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Haryana Minister Anil Vij on Saturday has taken back his comments on the new Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC) calendar featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The comment I made on Mahatma Gandhi is my personal opinion, to avoid hurting anyone’s sentiments I take it back,” Vij tweeted.
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ANIL VIJ Minister @anilvijminister
महात्मा गांधी पर दिया ब्यान मेरा निज़ी ब्यान है । किसी की भावना को आहत न करे इसलिए मैं इसे वापिस लेता हूँ ।
1:50 PM – 14 Jan 2017 · Sonipat, India
71 71 Retweets 119 119 likes
Vij’s remarks drew flak from the Congress which said that the BJP has always spread hatred, adding that Prime Minister Modi is trying to end Gandhi’s memory from India.
“The BJP is doing what the Britishers have done. Mahatma Gandhi is the soul of India. One can only expect such kind of objectionable and nonsensical statements from the BJP’s leaders and ministers,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told ANI.
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Good that Mahatma was replaced by Modi on khadi calendar,Gandhi will also gradually be removed from currency notes says Haryana Min Anil Vij pic.twitter.com/e8AXr7WJFw
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One can only expect such kind of objectionable and nonsensical statements from BJP’s leaders and ministers:RS Surjewala,Cong on Anil Vij pic.twitter.com/1za0gmvF4h
1:53 PM – 14 Jan 2017
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27 27 Retweets 28 28 likes
Distancing itself from Vij’s comment, the BJP said Mahatma Gandhi is an icon, adding that the saffron party condemns the remark. “BJP strongly condemns statement of Anil Vij, it’s his personal remark and not party’s stand. Mahatma Gandhi is our icon,” BJP leader Shrikant Sharma told ANI.
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One can only expect such kind of objectionable and nonsensical statements from BJP’s leaders and ministers:RS Surjewala,Cong on Anil Vij pic.twitter.com/1za0gmvF4h
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BJP strongly condemns statement of Anil Vij,its his personal remark & not party’s stand. Mahatma Gandhi is our icon: Shrikant Sharma,BJP pic.twitter.com/WX1IQZUlFo
1:56 PM – 14 Jan 2017
36 36 Retweets 63 63 likes
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also said, “It is his personal opinion and has nothing to do with the party.”
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BJP strongly condemns statement of Anil Vij,its his personal remark & not party’s stand. Mahatma Gandhi is our icon: Shrikant Sharma,BJP pic.twitter.com/WX1IQZUlFo
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It is his personal opinion and has nothing to do with the party: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar on Anil Vij pic.twitter.com/Cg9RDv5dG2
2:01 PM – 14 Jan 2017
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20 20 Retweets 44 44 likes
“This is very unfortunate. These are unworthy sons of the nation,” Lalu Prasad Yadav, RJD leader told ANI.
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Hat jayenge dheere dheere(from currency notes): Anil Vij,Haryana Minister on Mahatma Gandhi
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Ye nalayak bete hain desh ke, bohot durbhagya ki baat hai: Lalu Prasad Yadav on Anil Vij pic.twitter.com/pF0RIh4qqJ
1:35 PM – 14 Jan 2017
64 64 Retweets 78 78 likes
Amid political uproar over the new Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC) calendar featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vij had said that the former is a bigger brand name than Mahatma Gandhi.
“Since the time when Gandhi’s name got associated with Khadi…it could not progress. The day Mahatma Gandhi came on the rupee, its devaluation started. Gradually, he will be removed from the notes also. It’s good that Gandhi has been replaced with Modi…Modi is a bigger brand name. After Modi’s association with Khadi, there has been 14 percent increase in sale of the products,” he said.
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Jab se Khadi ke saath Gandhi ka naam juda hai,khadi uth hi nahi saki,khadi doob gayi: Anil Vij,Haryana Minister
1:24 PM – 14 Jan 2017
89 89 Retweets 149 149 likes
Meanwhile, Mahatama’s great-grandson Tushar Gandhi has expressed displeasure over the way corrupt politicians are using money for ‘ill-practices’.
