Political leaders joined in to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 71st death anniversary on Wednesday, 30 January.
The day began with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the country in paying homage to the Father of the Nation at Raj Ghat. Gandhi had been assassinated on 30 January 1948, the day which is now also celebrated as Martyr’s Day.
Kovind, Modi and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu paid floral tributes at Gandhi's memorial at Raj Ghat in Delhi, along with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, among others.
Rahul Gandhi and Manmohan Singh also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat, where a prayer meet was held.
Tributes Pour in On Twitter
Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Twitter as well, saying “the greatness and progress of a society can be evaluated based on how the weaker and more vulnerable sections are treated”.
PM Modi remembered the Mahatma on Twitter, reiterating his and the nation’s commitment to “follow the path shown by him and abide by the values he stood for.”
In another tweet, he paid his respects to all the martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for India.
Naidu, in a series of tweets, also remembered Gandhi, calling him an inspiration to all mankind and praising his compassion, inclusiveness and his perseverance. He also said that Gandhi’s vision continues to be relevant in today’s world.
President Kovind paid his tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and the countless freedom fighters who had laid their lives down for India’s Independence, on Twitter.
Other BJP leaders also tweeted, paying tribute to Gandhi.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also tweeted in his memory, calling Gandhi the ‘greatest son of the soil’.
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot also paid his tribute to Gandhi at his statue.
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