'She taught us nothing is more important than India's self-respect': Cong pays tributes to Indira
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Friday paid rich tributes to former prime minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary, with party leader Rahul Gandhi saying she was fearless and unwavering while facing the powerful and "taught us that nothing is more important than India's self-respect".
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with a host of other senior leaders, paid floral tributes to Indira Gandhi at the Shakti Sthal here and also visited the former prime minister's memorial on 1, Safdarjung Road.
In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge said, "A humble tribute to the epitome of courage, India's first woman Prime Minister and our role model, Indira Gandhi, on her martyrdom day."
"She played a crucial role in preserving India's unity and integrity through her strong will, skillful leadership, and vision, and in building a strong, progressive India," Kharge said.
In another post, the Congress president said, "Millions of Indians will forever find inspiration in the life of the 'Iron Lady of India', Smt. Indira Gandhi, a symbol of resilience, courage, and visionary leadership."
"Her resolute commitment to India's progress and unity remains in our hearts and minds. She laid down her life in service of the nation, safeguarding its integrity and spirit. Our humble homage at Shakti Sthal," he said and shared pictures of him and other Congress leaders paying floral tributes to Indira Gandhi at Shakti Sthal.
In a post in Hindi on X, Rahul Gandhi said, "'Bharat ki Indira' - fearless, determined, and unwavering while facing the powerful. Grandma, you taught us that nothing is more important than India's identity and self-respect. Your courage, compassion, and patriotism continue to inspire me in every step I take."
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also paid tributes to her grandmother.
"I learned fearlessness from you, got to know patriotism from you, understood the spirit of service from you, experienced the power of a woman from you...You will forever live in the hearts of millions, and my heart is among them," she said in a post in Hindi on X.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh recalled how on a rainy August 13, 1977, she travelled first by car, jeep and tractor, and then rode on an elephant to Belchhi in Bihar in an "extraordinary and spontaneous outreach to families devastated by caste atrocities".
The Congress general secretary in-charge communications asserted that Indira Gandhi was a person of uncommon grit, courage, perseverance and resilience.
Ramesh also pointed out that a day after her visit to the village of Belchhi, she met her the then bitterest political critic and adversary, Jayaprakash Narayan, in Patna.
"Today, the nation recalls the indomitable Indira Gandhi and pays tribute on the 41st anniversary of her martyrdom. She was a person of uncommon grit, courage, perseverance, and resilience," he said.
"This extraordinary and spontaneous outreach to families devastated by caste atrocities marked her political revival," he said.
Ramesh also shared on X pictures of Indira Gandhi on an elephant visiting Belchhi.
"Incidentally, a day later, she met with her then-bitterest political critic and adversary Jayaprakash Narayan in Patna. The two had spent an hour together recalling their deep personal association over a period of four decades," Ramesh said.
The then prime minister was assassinated by her bodyguards here on this day in 1984. Indira Gandhi was India's first woman prime minister. She was born on November 19, 1917.
Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal said that on this day in 1984, "one of India's greatest leaders was martyred".
"She stood unflinchingly for India's sovereignty and integrity and paid the price with her own life. I offer my tributes to our guiding light, India's Iron Lady Smt. Indira Gandhi ji on her death anniversary. Her life, from participating in our freedom struggle as a child to leading India through turbulent times with great courage and vision, will always be an inspiration for every Indian," he said on X.
"We vow to dedicate our lives for the vision that Indira ji saw for our country!" Venugopal said.
Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera shared on X a quote of Indira Gandhi -- "I am here today, I may not be here tomorrow… I shall continue to serve till my last breath, and when I die, every drop of my blood will strengthen India and keep a united India alive."
"Indira ji fulfilled this promise. She lived and died for India, knowing the cost of her conviction.
"Her courage was not borrowed, her sacrifice not staged. She faced hate with strength and left behind a nation forever marked by her unwavering will to keep India united, fearless, and whole," Khera said.
The Congress, from its official X handle, said, "Heartfelt tributes to the country's first woman Prime Minister, 'Bharat Ratna' Mrs. Indira Gandhi, on her death anniversary. An epitome of strength, determination, and powerful leadership, Indira Gandhi is a source of inspiration for millions of Indians."
Several Congress leaders also paid homage to Indira Gandhi on the day.
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BJP to resolve decades-old Gorkha issue within 6 months of forming govt in Bengal: Shah
Kurseong (WB) (PTI): Seeking to strike an emotional chord with the politically crucial hill electorate, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday promised that the BJP would resolve the decades-old Gorkha issue within six months if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal.
He said no party other than the BJP could find a solution acceptable to the Gorkhas.
Addressing a rally at Kurseong in Darjeeling district, Shah said the BJP understands the concerns and aspirations of the Gorkhas and would work towards a settlement on their terms.
"Within six months of the BJP forming the government in West Bengal, every Gorkha will have a smile on his face. We will find such a solution to the Gorkha issue that Gorkhas can live in peace," he said.
The Gorkha issue refers to the century-old demand for a separate state in the Gorkha-majority hill districts of north Bengal, although Shah did not utter the words 'Gorkhaland' or 'statehood' in his speech.
Instead, echoing the BJP's long-standing promise of a "permanent political solution" to the hill question, Shah said the issue would be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Gorkhas.
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"I am leaving today after promising you that as soon as the BJP government is formed, the decades-old Gorkha issue will be resolved according to the Gorkhas' terms," he said.
The BJP, which has won the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat in every election since 2009, has consistently promised a permanent political solution to the hill issue without committing itself to a separate state.
The home minister accused the Mamata Banerjee government of refusing to engage with efforts to resolve the issue and said that after becoming home minister, he had convened three meetings on the matter.
"After becoming home minister, I convened three major meetings to resolve the Gorkha issue, but not even once did a representative from Mamata's side attend," Shah said.
"Mamata Didi, we are not dependent on you for a solution to the Gorkha issue. We have appointed an interlocutor who is preparing a report by engaging with Gorkha organisations here and officials of the West Bengal government," he added.
Claiming that the BJP alone understands the concerns of the hill residents, Shah said, "We understand you and your problems. No one except the BJP can resolve the Gorkha issue."
The home minister alleged that the Congress and the TMC had betrayed the people of the hills for decades.
"The Congress and the TMC have done injustice not only to Darjeeling but also to our patriotic Gorkha brothers," he said.
Seeking to broaden the BJP's pitch beyond the Gorkha issue, Shah sought to portray the election as a battle to free north Bengal and the hills from what he called years of neglect and injustice under the TMC rule.
"This election is to free the entire West Bengal from TMC's crimes. In a way, it is an election to gain freedom from the injustice happening for decades in north Bengal and Darjeeling," he said.
Referring to the Sandeshkhali controversy, Shah said, "The whole of West Bengal has decided that it is time for Didi to step down. This election is about protecting our sisters across the state. The Sandeshkhali incident has brought shame to the state."
The BJP leader told the gathering that while Darjeeling had repeatedly backed the BJP, the party needed support from the rest of West Bengal this time.
"For three elections, Darjeeling has been voting for the BJP anyway, but the rest of West Bengal did not provide as much support. But this time, the whole of West Bengal has made up its mind that it's time to oust Didi," he said.
Shah also raised the issue of Gorkhas' names being allegedly deleted from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
"The names of some Gorkhas were deleted during SIR. Once the BJP government is formed in West Bengal, all such names will be included in the electoral rolls again," he said.
He further alleged that hundreds of false cases had been slapped on Gorkha activists and promised that these would be withdrawn if the BJP formed the government.
"They have filed hundreds of false cases against our Gorkha brothers and sisters. The results will come out on May 4, and a BJP government will be formed on May 5. Before July 31, the BJP government in West Bengal will withdraw all cases against Gorkha brothers and sisters," Shah said.
The home minister also attacked the Mamata Banerjee government over budgetary allocations for the tribals.
"For tribal development, for Adivasis, for the hills, and for north Bengal, the Mamata government's total budget is Rs 2,000 crore. But for Muslims and madrasas, the Mamata government's budget is Rs 5,800 crore. This injustice will not last much longer," he said.
The demand for Gorkhaland and greater political autonomy for the Darjeeling hills has remained one of the most enduring and emotive political issues in north Bengal, often shaping electoral outcomes in the region.
Successive agitations -- from the Subhash Ghising-led GNLF movement in the 1980s to the later stir spearheaded by Bimal Gurung and the GJM, have repeatedly convulsed the hills.
Yet, despite the BJP's rise in Darjeeling and its continued dominance in the Lok Sabha seat since 2009, the party has so far stopped short of endorsing a separate state as it would have an adverse impact on south Bengal, preferring instead to speak of a "permanent political solution".
