"The Congress is not a party based on one ideology or one principle, it is a special purpose vehicle to gain independence… this is why Mahatma Gandhi with foresight, he was a very clever baniya, he knew what was going to happen, he said immediately after independence that the Congress should be dissolved.,” BJP President Amit Shah told a crowd in Raipur on Friday.
Amit Shah’s reference to Mahatma Gandhi as ‘chatur Baniya’ or ‘c;ever Baniya’ has raised tha hackles with Congress, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and other parties protesting.
JD-U Spokesperson Neeraj Kumar told the media that Shah had insulted the nation and its people by using a "caste" name to address Mahatma Gandhi.
"At a time when the country is celebrating 100 years of Champaran Satyagrah of Gandhi, the BJP President has insulted him and the 1.25 crore people of India."
Neeraj said Shah, who was himself an accused in serious criminal charges and jailed for his criminal acts, was now targeting Mahatma Gandhi by naming his caste. "It is shameful and unforgivable."
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said: "By associating Mahatma Gandhi with a business model, he has insulted the sacrifices that were made during the freedom struggle. The Britishers used Hindu Mahasabha and the Sangh as a special purpose vehicle for the partition of the country."
"After independence, they have become a vehicle to oppress Dalits, and the weaker sections. This is their real face and character," he added.
Slamming Shah, Surjewala said: "Identifying Gandhi with caste exposes the real face, character and mindest of Amit Shah."
"We demand that Amit Shah, BJP and Prime Minister Narendra should apologise to the people and the families of the freedom fighters of the country for insulting their struggle. Shah has indulged in a heinous crime and an anti-national act. There can't be a bigger crime than this," he said.
On Twitter, #Mahatma Gandhi was trending on Saturday.
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." #MahatmaGandhi
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 10, 2017
A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes. #MahatmaGandhi
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) June 10, 2017
#MahatmaGandhi went to jail for India's freedom struggle. Amit Shah was behind bars for fake encounters. No further comment is necessary.
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) June 10, 2017
God knows what more is left for us to hear. By the time their tenure ends, we will be seeing Godse pics on the walls #MahatmaGandhi
— Sakshi Joshi (@sakshijoshi85) June 10, 2017
"Gandhi was a chatur baniya..." What kind of flippant, casteist, despicable remark is this by @AmitShah. Shameful.
— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) June 10, 2017
in how many ways can an ideology of hate murder a man, a mahatma? amit shah: Gandhi bahut chatur baniya thahttps://t.co/a0Ui5pcWtq
— Hartosh Singh Bal (@HartoshSinghBal) June 10, 2017
Was deeply upset by the 'chatur baniya' comment. Then realised that this "pronouncement" is timed to drown the SC pronouncement on #Aadhaar.
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) June 10, 2017
"Baniya" is no pejorative since we don't live in perfect caste-free world. And "chatur" (shrewd) is a compliment. Gandhi wouldn't mind both! https://t.co/JVhAvXSLfO
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) June 10, 2017
It only reflects RSS/BJP's utter contempt of Mahatma Gandhi. Shame on you Mr Amit Shah. Apologise to the Nation.
— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) June 10, 2017
Time and again leaders have reminded Congressmen what Chatur Baniya #MahatmaGandhi wanted.. pic.twitter.com/0NJdkqbT2W
— नंदिता ठाकुर (@nanditathhakur) June 10, 2017