Maharashtra launches another 'Quit India' movement against social evils

Mumbai, Aug 9: On the 75th anniversary of the 'Quit India' Movement launched here during India's freedom struggle, Maharashtra on Tuesday launched 'Quit India Movement 2' to rid itself of various social evils and convert 'swaraj' into 'su-raj'.

"After 68 years of Independence, there is a need for people to respond with similar passion, zeal and commitment to banish several social and other evils plaguing the nation and take India to newer heights," Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said on the occasion.

He called for total eradication of poverty from the country, providing universal education, creating employment, combining development with welfare measures as part of the campaign.

The state government launched its 'Quit India Movement 2' in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the famous August Kranti Maidan in south Mumbai, earlier known as Gowalia Tank Maidan from where Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 gave a clarion call to the then British rulers to 'Quit India'.

Naidu said the country must make illiteracy, discrimination, disunity, disharmony, terrorism and anti-nationalism quit India so as to take the country from 'Swaraj' (Independence) to 'Su-raj' (good governance).

He said in order to achieve faster all-inclusive progress on all fronts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given the slogan of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas".

Naidu said the central government will run a fortnight-long campaign 'Azadi 70 Saal -- Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani' to rekindle patriorism among the people, especially the younger generation.

"All central ministers and state chief ministers are assigned two places each, including birthplaces of national icons and places of historical importance related to Independence movement, like the Jallianwala Bagh, Chauru Chaura, Cellular Jail, Sabarmati Ashram and Dandi etc.," Naidu said.

Speaking on the occasion, Fadnavis recalled Mumbai's significant in the country's freedom struggle.

"Today, the city is taking a lead in launching the second 'Quit India Movement'. This time, the fight is not against the British, but against social evils plaguing the state like corruption, farmers suicides, malnutrition, water wastage and terror," Fadnavis said.

Earlier, Naidu, Fadnavis and other top ministers and dignitaries paid tributes to the freedom fighters and revolutionaries at the August Kranti Memorial followed by a cultural show recreating India's freedom struggle.

IANS