Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi condemns misuse of Mahatma's image in ad war between Cong, BJP
Bengaluru (PTI): The KGSN has condemned the alleged misuse of Mahatma Gandhi's image in a recently published advertisement in Karnataka, calling it an affront to the Father of the Nation's core ideals and a matter of serious national concern.
The Congress and the opposition BJP engaged in a spat through advertisement using a cartoon of Gandhi.
In its full page advertisement on the front page of the leading vernacular and English dailies on February 3, the Congress-led Karnataka government showed Gandhi admonishing 'Sangh-Appa' wearing a white shirt and a Khaki pant for scrapping Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
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The advertisement takes a potshot at the Centre for replacing the MGNREGA with Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajivika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G).
In retaliation, the BJP put out a full-page advertisement on February 7, where Gandhi is shown as lifting his stick to hit Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and calls them all 'Nungappa' (The one who squanders everything).
"To you, the Nungappa who are using Mahatma as your property," Gandhi is shown as telling the trio who pose requesting him not to hit them.
In a statement, Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi (KGSN) president Wooday P Krishna and honorary secretary M C Narendra expressed alarm over the portrayal of Gandhiji and said it was derogatory and contrary to his philosophy, warning that such representations could mislead the younger generation and damage the sanctity associated with his legacy.
The statement further said, "An advertisement that has recently appeared in leading daily newspapers of Karnataka depicts the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, in a manner that would shock anyone who understands Gandhiji's philosophy. The way in which he has been portrayed is something that brings shame to the entire nation and is completely contrary to his core ideals such as non-violence, Satyagraha, and Sarvodaya."
The KGSN said the depiction amounted to a destruction of Gandhiji's values.
It described the trend of using Gandhi's image for partisan or political convenience as a disturbing development in recent times.
"At a time when Mahatma Gandhi alone is revered across the world with the honorific 'Mahatma', it is a disturbing development that in recent times certain sections of the media are using Gandhiji in a derogatory manner and for the convenience of partisan politics," the statement said, adding that such usage posed the risk of sending "a wrong message to the younger generation".
Condemning the practice in strong terms, the organisation said that even if Gandhiji's ideals could not be effectively conveyed to the youth, his image should not be used in a way that demeans his personality or philosophy.
"It is our clear and firm view that he should at least not be used in a manner that demeans his personality and philosophy," the statement said.
The KGSN urged the media to act responsibly and uphold its national duty, requesting editors to publish the statement in public interest.
It expressed hope that media organisations would "recognise their national responsibility in such matters and discharge their duties responsibly".
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Correspondents' dinner firing: World leaders say political violence has no place in democracy
Washington (PTI): World leaders expressed relief that US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania and other guests were unharmed after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' dinner here on Saturday night and asserted that political violence has no place in a democracy.
Reacting to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was relieved that President Trump, First Lady Melania and Vice President J D Vance were safe and unharmed after a security incident at the White House Correspondents' dinner in Washington.
Modi said violence has no place in democracy and must be unequivocally condemned.
"Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned," Modi said in a post on X.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has had frequent run-ins with Trump, described the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton hotel as a “disturbing event”.
“I am relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House correspondents’ dinner in Washington tonight. Political violence has no place in any democracy, and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event,” Carney said in a post on X.
President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae Myung asserted that political violence “can never be justified under any circumstances.”
“The Government of the Republic of Korea firmly opposes all forms of violence and extremism that erode the values of democracy and the rule of law,” he said in a social media post.
Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi said, “Violence must never be tolerated anywhere in the world”
“I am relieved to hear that President Trump is safe following the terrifying gunfire. Violence must never be tolerated anywhere in the world,” she posted on social media.
Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident “an attack on all the democracies.”
"This wasn't just an attack on Donald Trump. This was an attack on a candidate for the presidency of the United States. This was an attack on America. It was an attack on democracy, it was an attack on all the democracies,” he posted on social media.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said it was “good that President Trump and his wife are safe following the recent events”.
“We send them our respect. Violence must never be the way,” she said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was pleased to hear all attendees were safe. “We applaud the work of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies for their swift action,” he said in a statement.
Delcy Rodriguez, the acting President of Venezuela following the capture of Nicolas Maduro by US forces, condemned the attack against Trump.
"We extend our best wishes to them and to all attendees of the Correspondent’s dinner. Violence is never an option for those who uphold the values of peace," she wrote on X.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also took to social media to condemn the incident, stating he was "deeply shocked" to hear the news.
"Relieved to know that President Trump, the First Lady, and other attendees are safe," Sharif said.
Trump has survived two assassination attempts over the past two years – first at a presidential election campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, and later in Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024.
