Gandhi's messages still relevant today: PM

Durban, Oct 2 (UNI) The centenary celebrations of Satyagraha, where Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and South African President Dr Thabo Mbeki paid tributes to the Father of the Nation for his peaceful methods of resistance against colonial rule and racial discrimination, were marred by protests by Zuma activists.

The celebrations were briefly disrupted at the Sahara Stadium here last evening when supporters of former Deputy President Jacob Zuma, who was sacked by Mr Mbeki on corruption charges, stormed into the stadium to express their anger. The Zuma fans registered their protest by singing songs soon after the arrival of President Mbeki in the stadium. However, police forced them to leave the stadium.

Dr Singh in his speech said satyagraha was the beginning of a new way of battling violence and injustice. He also underscored relevance of Mahatama Gandhi's message of non-violence in today's world which is affected by international terrorism and religious war.

The rediscovery of Gandhi's message by the present generation, as depicted in the recently released mega hit movie "lage Rahi Munna Bhai" was recalled by the Prime Minister in his address at the function.

"Every generation has rediscovered relevance of Gandhji's message. I was heartened to see recently that back home in India the most popular movie about a young man's discovery of the universal and timeless relevance of the Mahtama's message,'' he added.

Despite protests the function went smoothly and artists from India and South Africa presented colourful cultural programmes.

Mr Zuma, whose corruption charges were quashed last week, has a strong following in Durban and its adjoining areas. His fans claim that he is a victim of political conspiracy by Mr Mbeki.

UNI/SMA/RB DKB RN1339