Congress slams President Ram Nath Kovind for equating Deen Dayal with Mahatma Gandhi

“We were expecting that he is no more the candidate but the President of India...the President of everybody. But it is most unfortunate that in his very first address in the Central Hall... he did not mention the name of India’s first Prime Minister (Nehru).”

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Ram Nath Kovind being sworn-in as the 14th President of India by the Chief Justice of India, Justice JS Khehar at a special ceremony in the Central Hall of Parliament in New Delhi on Tuesday. (PTI/Shahbaz Khan)

The Congress on Tuesday slammed President Ram Nath Kovind for equating Jan Sangh leader Deen Dayal Upadhyay with Mahatma Gandhi and not mentioning Jawaharlal Nehru in his acceptance speech. “… equating Deen Dayal Upadhyay with Gandhiji is an insult to the nation. And also an insult to Gandhiji, martyrs and freedom fighters of the country. How can you equate the leader of just a party — that too at that time he was the leader of a non-existent party… the BJP — with Gandhiji. It is an insult. These things should not have happened in this first address,” Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told The Indian Express.

“We were expecting that he is no more the candidate but the President of India…the President of everybody. But it is most unfortunate that in his very first address in the Central Hall… he did not mention the name of India’s first Prime Minister (Nehru).”

Azad said that Kovind mentioned names of Nehru’s colleagues, who were ministers under him. “Both home minister and law minister under him. Nehru was a freedom fighter, son of a freedom fighter… his daughter and grandson gave their lives for the country. The entire family, right from Motilal Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi… he did not mention his name. The omission was deliberate.’’

Earlier in his address, Kovind said that India’s independence was the result of efforts of thousands of patriotic freedom fighters led by Mahatma Gandhi. “Later, Sardar Patel integrated our nation. Principal architect of our Constitution Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar instilled in us the value of human dignity and of republican ethic.”

He called for the need “to sculpt a robust, high growth economy, an educated, ethical and shared community, and an egalitarian society, as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi and Deen Dayal Upadhyay ji”.

Manoj C.G

Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape. Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis. The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage. Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting. Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics. National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections. Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum. Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital. Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief. Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More

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