Indira Gandhi could never tolerate bullying, says Sonia
NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday hailed former Prime Minister and her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi as someone who could “not tolerate any form of bullying”, a remark that was seen by many as a subtle dig at the ruling dispensation.
“She could not tolerate any form of bullying, coercion and unfairness—that was fundamental to her character. That is what inspired her in all her battles— those she took on and those that she faced,” Sonia said at the inauguration of a photography exhibition that was held on the former Prime Minister’s birth anniversary and looked back at her life.
Recalling her 16 years of association with the late Prime Minister, the Congress president said Indira Gandhi passionately felt for her country, deeply cared for the poor and oppressed, and faithfully followed the teachings of her father and other great leaders of the freedom struggle.
“For her as Prime Minister there was but one religion, a sacred creed passionately held — that all Indians were equal children of the motherland,” she said and added: “It was that rigorous schooling in the Independence movement that made her so staunch in defence of India’s sovereignty, so committed to the ideals of secularism and social justice, and so determined to advance them through her policies and programmes.”
According to Sonia, Indira Gandhi always strived to keep India’s sovereign fibre intact.
“She fought for secularism, against all those forces seeking to divide the Indian people on lines of religion and caste. She gloried in the rich diversity of India, its profound democratic and secular values,” she said.
Her comments have been understood by some as an attempt to distinguish Indira Gandhi’s legacy from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s, especially since a section of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader’s followers have likened his charisma and political standing to that of the late Congress leader.
The Congress chief said Indira Gandhi fought for India’s dignity and independence as a sovereign nation against the dominance of superpowers, a stand that has been cemented by her role in Bangladesh’s creation.
“I have heard Indiraji being referred to as the Iron Lady. But iron was only one of the elements in her character; generosity and humanity were just as prominent traits. She fought, yes -- but not for personal ascendancy. She fought for her principles, against vested interests and agendas,” she said.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also paid homage to his grandmother on the centenary of her birth anniversary.
“I remember you Dadi with so much love and happiness. You are my mentor and guide. You give me strength,” he tweeted.
Speaking at the photography exhibition, former President Pranab Mukherjee, whose political career blossomed under Indira’s regime, said she left behind a message that “a commitment to the people can never be killed by any power, however strong it may be.”