Freedom fighters of Agra demand Modi's apology on the KVIC calendar issue

Freedom fighter Rani Saroj Gaurihar said that by replacing Mahatma Gandhi's image with his image, Modi has made a major blunder as Gandhi cannot be replaced.

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Freedom fighters of Agra demand Modi's apology on the KVIC calendar issue
PM Modi in Gandhi's iconic charkha pose

Following the demonetisation exercise which threw the country into chaos for more than two months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is again in the eye of the storm, this time over his picture printed on the Annual Khadi and Village Industries Commission calendar and diary, a place that was erstwhile reserved for pictures of Mahatma Gandhi, who was an international proponent of khadi or handwoven cloth.

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED
  1. Now, the Opposition parties have taken up this fresh issue and renewed their attack on Modi claiming that Modi is conspiring to sideline Mahatma Gandhi and replace that great personality as the national icon. Freedom fighters of Agra have also opened up a front against Modi on this issue and demanded that Modi should issue a personal apology on this gaffe and the KVIC recall the calendars and diaries that have Modi's image spinning charkha printed on them. They have warned that the freedom fighters of Agra will hold a protest at the Parliament if the Modi government did not make amends immediately.
  2. Gandhian thinker and freedom fighter, Chiman Lal Jain, who has been running an anti-alcohol movement in Agra since the past 4 years, said that this was a major error of judgment by the Modi government and all Gandhians should protest the printing of these calendars and diaries in which Modi has replaced Gandhi on the cover. He said that Mahatma Gandhi is the Father of the Nation and nobody has the stature to replace him.
  3. Freedom fighter late Gopal Shiromani's entire family joined the Gandhian movement from the beginning and adopted khadi as their choice of clothing. Gopal Shiromani's son and social activist Shashi Shiromani said that if someone desires to replace Gandhi, it is his misconception as Mahatma Gandhi's personality is above ordinary humans and politicians. Gandhi's leadership enabled India to shrug off the chains of British slavery, whereas Modi's leadership has made the people slaves of banks.
  4. Freedom fighter Rani Saroj Gaurihar said that by replacing Mahatma Gandhi's image with his image, Modi has made a major blunder as Gandhi cannot be replaced.
  5. Senior Congress leader Haji Jameeluddin said that India does not belong to either Modi or any other person. 130 crore Indians have their right on this country and Gandhi resides in the hearts of every Indian citizen. Modi should apologize to the entire country for this mistake and realise that his dictatorial policies won't last very long.
  6. Retired IAS and Adarsh Party President Dr Chandrapal told India Today that Modi has dug his own grave with this blunder. He said that "It appears that in the coming time, Modi may also attempt to replace Gandhi on the currency notes with his picture. First demonetisation and now this replacement of Gandhi's image, these blunders could cost Modi dearly in the coming assembly elections."
  7. Interestingly, a lot of senior BJP leaders appeared uncomfortable with this incident as they did not want to openly oppose Modi, but they did not agree with this entire concept. Requesting anonymity, they claimed that Modi was a Gujarati and being of the same state as Gandhi, he should not have launched a direct attack on Gandhi's images like this. They said that this step had angered many ardent supporters of Modi and it would be better if Modi himself took up this issue and explained why such monumental error happened.

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