The Hindu : National : U.P. Minister’s comments on Mahatma kick up a row

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Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009
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U.P. Minister’s comments on Mahatma kick up a row

Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Animal Husbandry Avadh Pal Singh has kicked up a row by reportedly describing Mahatma Gandhi as (member of a) “mafia.”

His comments against the Mahatma and other freedom fighters were made in the background of the recent controversy plaguing the BSP government over the murder of an engineer.

Mr. Singh had convened a press conference in his hometown of Etah on Monday where he took exception to the use of the word ‘mafia’ to describe the ruling party MLA, D.P. Yadav. The Minister reportedly said: “If D.P. Yadav can be called a mafia [member, or ‘mafioso’] on the basis of a few criminal cases against him, then Mahatma Gandhi was the first mafia [member] of the country, as were the likes of Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru.”

The Minister reportedly described Mr. Yadav and another alleged don, Aruna Shankar Shuka alias Anna, as courageous people who should be lauded.

Mr. Singh’s comments have been roundly condemned by the Opposition parties. The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi president, Mulayam Singh, and in-charge of the U.P. unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party , Kalraj Mishra, sought the Minister’s resignation. Congress workers in Etah demanded his immediate resignation.

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