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(Pics) Why Mahatma Gandhi is not 'Father of the Nation'?: RTI activist
Posted by: Preeti Panwar
Updated: Tuesday, October 1, 2013, 21:39 [IST]
Since childhood, we all have been taught that the great son of India,
Mahatma Gandhi is the "Father of the Nation". But surprisingly, the
government of India does not consider Gandhiji as the Father of the
Nation!
According to government's documents, Gandhiji was not conferred with
this title, constitutionally.
This amazing fact was revealed by the persistent efforts of the youngest
RTI activist 10-year-old Aishwarya Parashar, who sought response on
this from the Central government.
In a written reply, the government said that Mahatma Gandhi cannot be
accorded the 'Father of the Nation' title by government as the
Constitution does not permit any titles except educational and military
ones.
While giving reference to the Article 18 (1) of the Constitution, the
MHA had said that it does not permit any titles except education and
military ones.
The MHA had transferred Aishwarya's appeal to the National Archives of
India.
Unsatisfied by the government's answers, Aishwarya had filed an appeal
to the Central Information Commission (CIC). Then, the Central
Information Commissioner Basant Seth had stated, "There is no
order/document on record by which Gandhiji was given the title of
"Rastrapita". Gandhiji is reverently called the "Father of the
Nation/Rastrapita" by the entire country. The title is not dependent on
the presumed presence or absence of official records."
He also added, "His supreme role in the freedom struggle of our Nation
is an incontrovertible part of our proud legacy. Needless controversies
in such matters are hurtful and should be avoided by all. We say no
more."
The government of India does not consider Gandhiji as the Father of
the Nation!
Last year, the reply to an RTI query came as a shock to all those
Indians who believed that Republic day, Independence day and Gandhi
Jayanti are national holidays. Apparently, these three dates were never
notified by the government.
Lucknow-based student Aishwarya, an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi's
principles, said, "When I read in books that Mahatma Gandhi is known as
'Father of the Nation', I was curious to know who gave him the title. I
searched on internet but nothing came out so I filed an RTI."
Driven by a patriot zeal, Class VI student Aishwarya wrote to the then
President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to issue a
notification declaring Mahatma Gandhi as 'Father of the Nation'.
Read more at: http://news.oneindia.in/feature/why-mahatma-gandhi-is-not-father-of-nation-rti-activist-seeks-answers-1316546.html
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