Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has suggested that the most important aspect of Mahatma Gandhi’s doctrine of nonviolence be part of the Indian Constitution’s Preamble.
“As Gandhiji said as long as poverty exists, freedom is only a wooden loaf. To remove poverty is the greatest task faced by any government. This cannot be achieved without non-violence,” Naveen said while addressing the Chief Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The meeting was presided over by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Patnaik said progress requires the defeat of those who divide the society on the basis of class, caste or religion.
“I believe the greatest tribute India could pay Gandhiji on his 150th birth anniversary is to include the ‘uniquely’ Indian ideal of Ahimsa (nonviolence) in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. This will ensure that the future generations not only of the Indians but also the people around the world will be reminded of the profound truth of this principle,” he added.
The 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation will be celebrated in 2019.
