STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Former Minister and senior National Conference leader, Ajay Sadhotra on Monday said that the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi, who played a major role for getting independence, cannot be forgotten.
Sadhotra was speaking in the programme organised by block Marh leaders to pay tributes to the father of Nation on his 148th birthday. A meeting was held at Sarora under the chairmanship of Gurbachan Singh Saini.
Gandhi showed path of non-violence, co-existence, composite culture and communal harmony, Sadhotra said adding that he (Gandhi) preached unity in diversity.
Mahatma Gandhi saw a ray of hope in Jammu and Kashmir under the leadership of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, he added.
He emphasised the need of strengthening communal brotherhood in the country as well as the State.
Sadhotra said it is unfortunate that present PDP-BJP Government in the State and BJP at the Centre have ignored the genuine urges and aspirations of the rural people who are living in miserable conditions.
“The present government at the Centre and State has created sense of insecurity among the people by dividing them on religious lines which will weaken our country,” he said.
“The hard earned independence due to sacrifices by the freedom fighters could not be allowed to erode and we should adhere and further strengthen basic principles of our country-socialism, secularism and democracy,” he asserted.
Best tribute to the Father of Nation is to take the message of oneness, co-existence and peace at every nook and corner of the State and the country, stressed Sadhotra.
Others who spoke on the occasion were Prem Saini, Paras Ram, Rameshwar Sharma, Swaran Singh Manhas, Sodadar Saini, Surinder Singh, Darshna Bhagat, Kanta Sharma, Sub Ghasita Ram, Charan Dass, Ch Keemat Lal, Ghar Singh, Mela Ram, Rajinder Singh and Capt Om Parkash.