Cong slams omission of Nehru’s photo in govt ad

Congress MP V Hanumantha Rao on Saturday sat on a dharna as he took exception to the absence of a photograph of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in a Children’s Day advertisement brought out by the Union women and child development ministry.

“The advertisement released by Maneka Gandhi’s ministry (women and child development) in some newspapers had the photos of only the President and Prime Minister,” he said.

“Nehruji was Prime Minister for 17 years. He was a freedom fighter and went to jail. He initiated public sector companies, irrigation projects and promoted science. They are trying to finish his legacy,” Rao said.

He charged that the omission of Nehru’s photograph in the advertisement amounted to an insult to the `125-crore people in the country. Rao, who at 10am began his protest at a statue of Nehru here, said he would continue with his dharna till 5pm.

He added that he would organise protests at all schools if the “practice” continued next year as well.