The Hindu : National : Waghela on fast before Sabarmati Ashram

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007
ePaper


<SCRIPT language='JavaScript1.1' SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT> <A HREF="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> <IMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?" BORDER=0 WIDTH=468 HEIGHT=60 ALT="Click Here"></A> </NOSCRIPT>

National

National

Waghela on fast before Sabarmati Ashram

Special Correspondent

Hunger strike to protest against ``relaxation'' of prohibition in Gujarat; he says Mahatma's values are murdered

— PHOTO: PTI

THE GANDHIAN PATH: Union Minister for Textiles Shankarsinh Waghela pays tributes to Sardar Vallabhai Patel in front of his statue in Ahmedabad on Tuesday before embarking on a rally in protest against the relaxation of prohibition laws in Gujarat.

AHMEDABAD: Union Textile Minister Shankarsinh Waghela began a 52-hour fast in front of the Sabarmati Ashram here on Tuesday to protest against the alleged relaxation of prohibition in Gujarat.

Senior Congress leaders Balubhai Patel and Haribhai Chaudhary joined him in the fast. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Arjun Modhvadia simultaneously began a 24-hour fast in front of the Kirti Mandir in Porbandar, ancestral house of Mahatma Gandhi. Mr. Waghela said he chose Gandhi Nirvan Day to launch the fast to draw people's attention to the fact that the "killers" of the Mahatma were now out to "murder" his values and principles. The protest was against the New Year-eve order of the Bharatiya Janata Party Government to relax prohibition for residents of the special economic zones and to issue group permits to people from outside the State coming to attend national or international conferences. Mr. Waghela began his fast at 12 noon at the Kocharab Ashram, first one set up by the Mahatma in Ahmedabad. From there, he went on a "silent padayatra" to the Sabarmati Ashram, more than five km away.

The octogenarian Gandhian leader and Gujarat Lok Samiti convener Chunibhai Vaidya took part in the padayatra along with volunteers of the Self-Employed Women's Association and the Ahmedabad Women's Action Group.

Participants in the rally carried placards on the benefits of prohibition and Gandhiji's views. One of the placards quoted Gandhiji as saying, "If I am made dictator of India even for one hour, the first thing I will do is to close down all liquor shops and manufacturing units without any compensation."

The veteran Sarvodaya leader Sher Singh, who was among the few to have spoken to Gandhiji a couple of hours before his assassination, recalled what the Mahatma told Lord Irwin about the importance of prohibition.

— PHOTO: PTI

Gandhian activists and freedom fighters dressed as Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders participate in the protest rally.

At the Sabarmati Ashram, a meeting was held to pray to God that He give "good sense" to the BJP Government to desist from taking "anti-people measures."

The Mahila Congress launched a signature campaign in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Porbandar and other towns against the Government's move.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National