india

Updated: Jan 13, 2017 10:46 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ‘replaced’ Mahatma Gandhi in the 2017 wall calendar and table diary published by the Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC), official sources said on Thursday, as opposition leaders reacted sharply to the move.

The cover photo of the calendar and diary shows Modi weaving khadi on a large ‘charkha’, in the same classic pose as Gandhiji. In response, the employees of KVIC at its Vile Parle headquarters plan to stage “a silent, soul-cleansing” protest wearing black bands on their mouths, during lunch hour on Thursday.

Political leaders took a jibe at the Prime Minister for replacing the iconic image of Gandhi, including Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and former AAP member Yogendra Yadav, tweeting about it.

“Becoming Gandhi requires years of austerities. One cannot become Gandhi by acting to spin the Charkha, this would only ridicule them,” Kejriwal said in a tweet.

Gandhiji would've welcomed it, also opposed his photo on notes.

We should welcome it too. Less hypocrisy.https://t.co/q1fVI2RYmA — Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) January 12, 2017

Rahul too called Modi’s move “the mangalyaan effect”, referring to India’s Mars Orbiter Mission.

The Mangalyaan effecthttps://t.co/NnkbJ4i7vx — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) January 13, 2017

While Gandhi’s historic picture weaving khadi on a simple charkha, wearing his trademark loin cloth, is legendary and imprinted in the minds of the masses since generations, Modi comes across in his signature attire of kurta-pyjama-waistcoat, weaving khadi on a slightly modern charkha.

KVIC chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said this was “not unusual” and there have been deviations in the past.

“The entire khadi industry (udyog) is based on Gandhiji’s philosophy, ideas and ideals, he is the soul of KVIC, so there is no question of ignoring him,” Saxena told IANS.

KVIC calendar & dairy without Gandhiji's pics have been issued earlier too.Spirit is more important than the image.@PMOIndia,@ashokepandit. pic.twitter.com/57ksjFD1LQ — Chairman KVIC (@ChairmanKvic) January 12, 2017

How can anyone replace Bapu? One can only emulate his action.Does it not showcase the commitment to khadi @ the highest level of governance? — Chairman KVIC (@ChairmanKvic) January 13, 2017

He added that Modi has been wearing khadi since long, and has popularised it among the masses and even among foreign dignitaries, while developing his own styles around khadi.

“In fact, he is khadi’s biggest brand ambassador, and his vision matches KVIC’s, of ‘Make In India’ by making villages self-sufficient, ‘skill development’ by generating employment among the rural masses, infuse modern technology for khadi weaving, innovations and marketing. Plus, the PM is a youth icon,” Saxena explained.

“We are pained at this systematic easing out of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas, philosophy and ideals by the government. Last year, the first attempt was made by including the PM’s photos in the calendar,” said a senior KVIC staffer, requesting anonymity amid fear of official reprisals.

In fact, in 2016 the staff unions in KVIC had raised the calendar matter strongly with the management and were assured that it would not be repeated in future.

“However, this year it’s a total washout. The pictures and teaching of Gandhiji - who created khadi for the poor masses and made it a symbol of the ‘swadeshi’ self-reliance during the struggle for Independence - are completely left out in the calendar and diary,” the staffer rued.

Incidentally, Modi already has a khadi garment unofficially named after him - the casual and comfy, half-sleeved ‘Modi Kurta’ - since the days he was Gujarat chief minister and sported it regularly in public in various shades and styles.

During the four-month period between Gandhi’s birthday on October 2 and his martyrdom on January 30, the KVIC launches special promotions and offers special rebates to boost khadi sales across India.