Gopalkrishna Gandhi declined Pravasi Bharatiya Divas invitation: Centre

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said the government’s intention was to associate with the Gandhi family, but pointed out to the difficulties in Mr. Gopalkrishna Gandhi’s schedules as a deterrent.

Gopalkrishna Gandhi, former Governor of West Bengal. File photo

The government on Wednesday said it had invited the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Gopalkrishna Gandhi for the 13th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas in Gandhinagar but the latter declined the same citing prior commitments.

The theme of the three-day event, which coincides with the 100th anniversary of arrival of the Father of Nation to the country from South Africa, revolves around the Mahatma’s contribution to the society.

“We can only request. So, I can confirm to that there was an invitation sent to Gopalkrishna Gandhi, who is the former Governor of West Bengal. He was requested to speak today as part of a youth oration for the young and the theme was Gandhi

ji ’s relevance, emphasis and perspective for the youth.

“Unfortunately, due to prior commitment that he has, he was unable to accept that request,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told reporters in Gandhinagar.

He said the government’s intention was to associate with the Gandhi family, but pointed out to the difficulties in Mr. Gopalkrishna Gandhi’s schedules as a deterrent.

Right after the election results in May 2014, Mr. Gopalkrishna Gandhi had in

>an open letter expressed his dissatisfaction at the result, saying he did not want Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead the BJP government.

“I am not one of those who wanted to see you (Modi) reach the high office that you have reached,” the letter said.

Mr. Akbaruddin further said the government will also release a coin and a stamp to commemorate Gandhi ji ’s return to the country during the three-day event.

“Both the stamp and the coin will have photo of a young Gandhi as a barrister and as a Father of Nation...the transition from Pravasi to the Father of the Nation,” he said.