Cong justifies BJP's exclusion from conference on Satyagraha

New Delhi, Jan 19 (UNI) The Congress today slammed the BJP for criticising its exclusion from invitation to the international conference to be held here on January 29 and 30 to mark the centenary of the Satyagraha started by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa, saying the BJP was nowhere a part of the freedom struggle.

"They (BJP)are, however, welcome to come, but before that they should read, imbibe and exemplify Gandhism, Gandhian values and philosophy," Congress Spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said talking to newsmen here.

Rebutting the BJP criticism and justifying the Congress organising the global conference, Mr Singhvi asked , "if the Congress will not celebrate the icon of Satyagraha, does the BJP expect the Congress to celebrate the anniversary of Nathuram Godse or Veer Savarkar." Criticising the BJP as a party without history, Mr Singhvi said it was nowhere near the freedom movement."The BJP can not do by rewriting the history.They have to accept that they are not the part of the freedom struggle." "The truth is that the Gandhian values and activities are intrinsically linked with and inseparable to the Congress,"the Congress Spokesman asserted and advised the BJP to go through the history and live through it.

UNI