Gandhi deserves Nobel Peace Prize: NCP MLC

Mumbai, Jan 4: Jitendra Awhad, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), Thane said the Norwegian Nobel Prize Committee has made a historical mistake by not awarding the father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi with the Nobel Peace Prize.

Addressing mediapersons at the Press Club here today, Awhad said Gandhi was nominated for the coveted prize in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947 and finally, few days before he was assassinated in January 1948. Mahatma Gandhi was denied the Peace Prize due to the British influence in the selection committee, he said.

Citing the recent statement of Norwegian Crown Prince Hakko's admission, the Nobel Committee had made a mistake of not awarding Gandhi, Awhad said on the eve of the 60th independence.

India should push for Gandhi's nomination for the Peace Prize.

He pin pointed that when the world is on the brink of falling apart once again, a Nobel Prize for Gandhi will be the right tribute for honouring peace and correcting the historical mistake.

He said till date, the Nobel Committee has never given any posthumous prize and the existing criteria allows the possibility of a posthumous prize.

In this regard, letters would be sent to National and world leaders to mobilize support for Gandhi's nomination for the Peace Prize before the first February deadline.

UNI