A program held on Sunday in the Motihari district of Bihar was embroiled in controversy when an open appeal to vote for the Grand Alliance was made from the stage in the presence of Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. The program was organized under the historical neem tree in Turkaulia, in memory of the Champaran Satyagraha, where Bapu once listened to the problems of the farmers. Tushar Gandhi had arrived here as part of his padyatra, but a political statement made from the stage heated up the entire atmosphere.
As soon as a speaker on the stage appealed to vote in favor of the Grand Alliance, local head Binay Singh flared up. Protesting from the stage itself, he called it politics under the guise of Gandhism and also attacked Tushar Gandhi in harsh words. He said that it was unfortunate to use Bapu's legacy for political purposes. The headman even went so far as to say that you cannot be a descendant of Gandhi, you should be ashamed.
Tushar Gandhi had to leave the venue after intervention
Due to this unexpected controversy, the atmosphere of the program deteriorated. There was a sharp altercation between Tushar Gandhi and the local headman, which the organizers and people associated with Gandhian ideology had to intervene to calm down. But the matter had gone so far that Tushar Gandhi finally had to leave the venue.
After the atmosphere calmed down, Tushar Gandhi expressed his displeasure in a conversation with the media. He said that this is an insult not only to him but also to Gandhism and democracy. I was insulted by being called here, but I am not one to be afraid. This padyatra is a medium to convey Gandhi's ideas to the people and I will continue it throughout the country. Tushar Gandhi condemned the behavior of the local headman, calling him inspired by Godse's ideology.
Journey started in memory of Gandhi
It is noteworthy that this journey of Tushar Gandhi started on July 12 from Bhitiharwa Ashram in West Champaran. This historical padyatra was started with the aim of keeping the memory of the Champaran Satyagraha alive and conveying Gandhian values to the masses. But the political rhetoric on the stage in Turkaulia and the controversy that arose afterwards raises questions about this initiative.
Local people are also divided into two parts regarding this whole incident. One section considers it as political tampering with Bapu's memory, while the other stood in support of Tushar Gandhi. However, now the district administration and the organizers are trying that such controversies do not happen in the future and the journey remains focused on Gandhi's ideas.
