NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday resolved to uphold the "precious legacy" of Mahatma Gandhi in a world that is "seeing the continuing spread of violence and hatred, the sustained propagation of bigotry and discord" and where "poverty and inequality are still very much" prevalent.

This was the sum and substance of a resolution adopted by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) here after it met to commemorate the centenary of the launch of "satyagraha" by Gandhiji in South Africa on September 11, 1906.

Though the centenary falls on Monday, the CWC met on Sunday to ensure Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's participation, as he will be out of the country on Monday.

"Real challenge"

Congress president Sonia Gandhi said: "The real challenge is to live up to what he [Gandhi] taught us, to say what we mean and mean what we say; to demonstrate sustained adherence to ethical principles, maintain a sense of time and personal discipline and to get involved in social reform activities."

Such commemorative occasions should mean more than just passing resolutions. The Congress should be more active throughout the year in propagating Gandhian thought and values among the youth, she said.

Panel to be formed

Ms. Gandhi sought the CWC members' views on how best to observe the centenary. As many as 14 of the 27 members spoke and it was decided to set up a small committee within a week to chalk out a programme for the entire year.

Under consideration is an international seminar on Gandhian values and re-energising the Bapu Sadbhavana and Shiksha Trust's activities as an ideological counter to the Saraswati Shishu Mandirs of the Sangh Parivar.

Role of satyagrahis

According to the CWC resolution, "Gandhiji's relevance in the contemporary world is as great as it was when he led our movement for Independence." The resolution traces the evolution of the word "satyagraha" from "passive resistance" to "sadagraha" to its most enduring incarnation.

Stating that the "satyagraha" of Gandhiji "was without precedent or parallel because it combined the highest ethical principles with political activism in a noble cause," the resolution recorded how without firing a shot and demonising the enemy, the satyagrahis brought the curtains down on British rule in India.

"Soul force prevailed over brute force," the resolution noted, adding that it was not a case of one great individual setting impossible standards. "The Mahatma was able to persuade hundreds of thousands of those who followed him to remain steadfastly loyal to the demands he placed on them."

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