Kabir's teachings still relevant: Kovind

Vartha Bharati | 15-07-2018 | 19:28:00 IST

New Delhi, July 15 : President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday said Kabir was a great social reformer whose teachings are as relevant on present day as in his time.

"Kabir taught us to follow the path of equality and harmony. The same principles have been carried forward by Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Ambedkar, Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Ram Manohar Lohia," he said in his address at an event in Haryana's Fatehabad to mark Kabir Jayanti. It was organised by the Dhanak Sabha Fatehabad and the Sant Kabir Dhanak Samaj Karamchari Welfare Association.

Praising the works and contribution of Kabir towards abolishing social discrimination, Kovind said: "Kabir had a clear vision and approach towards social equality. He created awareness to end discrimination in the society."

The President also held that an individual should be valued on the grounds of humanitarian qualities instead of caste or religion.

Noting that the Monsoon Sessions of Parliament and state Assemblies are going to commence soon, he expressed confidence that legislators will carry forward their work for the public through debate and dialogue.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.

Kharge expresses regret over 'illiterate' remark, says he has highest of respect for Gujaratis

08-04-2026 ¦ 08-04-2026 IST

Photo: Mallikarjun Kharge (PTI)

New Delhi (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday expressed regret over his controversial statement calling the people of Gujarat "illiterate", and said he has always had and will continue to have the highest of respect for the people of the state.

In a post on X, the Congress president said, "Some remarks of mine in a recent election speech in Kerala are being deliberately misinterpreted. Even so, I express my sincere regret.

"It was never my intention to hurt the sentiments of the people of Gujarat for whom I have always had and will continue to have the highest of respect."

Kharge on Sunday had sparked a row during his Assembly poll campaign in Kerala, calling the people of Gujarat "illiterate" and claiming they were being "fooled" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

At the same time, Kharge said neither Modi nor Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan could fool the people of Kerala, describing them as "very clever and educated".

"Don’t misguide the people of Kerala. They are very clever and educated. Modiji, Vijayan, you both can fool people who are illiterate in Gujarat or other places, but you cannot fool the people of Kerala," the Congress chief had said.

He made the remark while alleging that both Modi and Vijayan were following the same path, with no difference between them except the parties they lead.

The BJP on Tuesday had demanded an apology from Kharge for his remarks, saying that the comment was "shameless, demeaning and utterly despicable."

Addressing a press conference here, senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asked Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to clarify whether they agreed with Kharge's statement.