Vaghela on 52-hour fast against Modi prohibition stand

Ahmedabad, Jan 30: Attacking the Gujarat government's decision to relax the prohibition policy for the Special Economic Zones (SEZs), senior Congress leader and Union Textiles Minister Shankersinh Vaghela today said by doing so, Chief Minister Narendra Modi has ''murdered'' the values held highly by Mahatma Gandhi.

Mr Vaghela, who is now on a 52-hour long fast near Sabarmati Ashram here, called upon the people of the state to launch a public movement against this decision.

Accusing the Chief Minister of ''playing into the hands of few industrialists'', Mr Vaghela said, ''If Gujarat is already the number one state in the country, as claimed by the Modi government, then what was the need to lift the prohibition now?'' He also called upon religious leaders like Morari Bapu and Asaram Bapu, and several Swaminarayan and Jain organisations to oppose the government stand. ''They should come forward and support this agitation. This is for a social cause and there is no politics involved,'' he said and urged them to decide whether they wanted to work for a cause or just as ''government's touts''.

Two sadhus belonging to a Swaminarayan sect participated in the programme.

Apart from the state Congress, several Gandhian organisations like Gujarat Lok Samiti, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, and hosts of NGOs including SEWA, AWAG and Janpath, are also taking part in the campaign.

Stating that the campaign was being carried out to ''mobilise public opinion against the government's decision'', Mr Vaghela said today being Gandhiji's 59th death anniversary was the apt day to begin it.

He said his 52-hour long fast was a ''symbolic counter'' to Mr Modi's ''51-hour five star fast'' on the Narmada issue last year.

In the morning, Mr Vaghela began his fast at the historic Kochrab Ashram, that was established by Gandhiji in 1915 after his return from South Africa.

Then, alongwith several Gandhians and Congress workers, tribals, women and children, he took out a silent march towards the Sabarmati Ashram. On the way, he garlanded statues of Sardar Patel, Vivekanand and Gandhiji at different points.

Then at 1710 hrs, a prayer meeting was held at the Sabarmati Ashram. ''This was the time when the Mahatma was shot dead by Nathuram Godse, 59 years back,'' Mr Vaghela observed. He said, 'We prayed to God to give our Chief Minister some wisdom.''

SEWA Chairperson Elaben Bhatt, who was also present, said the government's decision could be a step against the interests of women and children. Octagenarian former Assembly Speaker Kundanlal Dholakia said, he had never dreamt that such a development would take place in his lifetime. He said he had come all the way from Kutch to mark his protest against the government's decision.

A large number of agricultural labourers from various corners of the state were present on the occasion. One of them, Bhanuben from Petlad, said relaxation in prohibition would destroy the social fabric, especially in the rural areas. ''More money will go on liquor, less on our children's education. It will also lead to tensions in the families. Lifting prohibition will also affect women's employment as they would not feel as secure as they do today.'' Also addressing the gathering, Mr Chunibhai Vaidya, secretary of the Gujarat Lok Samiti, termed the government's move as an ''autocratic'' step and said the government should have sought public opinion first. ''Lifting prohibition would affect women and children most. ''What kind of investment is the government looking for. Should we just look for money at the cost of people's security?'' he asked.

He said Gujarat has made definite progress despite prohibition and hence there was no need to lift it.

Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Arjun Modhvadia simultaneously started a 24-hour fast in Porbandar.

A signature campaign was also launched across the state against the prohibition policy of the State government.

UNI