Nation has forgotten Gandhian model: Asghar Ali

Dandi, Apr 7: Ruing that the nation has forgotten Mahatma Gandhi's values, Dr Asghar Ali Engineer, a noted intellectual and chairman of Mumbai-based Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, today said his non-violent principles have more relevance in today's times.

Speaking at a meeting organised by Gandhian organisations here to commemorate the 76th anniversary of Salt Satyagraha, Dr Engineer said, ''Unlike Western nations, India is a multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-cultural nation and that is the strength of our country.'' ''Mahatma was a symbol of our nation's integrity but there are no followers to his principles now,'' he added.

Criticising the political parties, he said ''Be it communal, cast or ethnic, every form of violence is being used by the political parties to grab power.'' Dr Engineer also said it should not be forgetten that Gandhiji never took part in the celebrations of India's independence and at that time, he was at Naokhali to work for communal amity.

Gandhians like Padmavibhushan Poornima Ben Pakwaj, Ramaniklal Doshi and Vipin Bhai Desai also attended the meeting.

UNI