Mahatma Gandhi death anniversary: PM Modi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi pay homage to 'Bapu'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pic/PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary.

Mahatma Gandhi death anniversary: 'I pay homage to Pujya Bapu on his Punya Tithi,' says PM Modi

PM Modi said on X, "I pay homage to Pujya Bapu on his Punya Tithi. I also pay homage to all those who have been martyred for our nation. Their sacrifices inspire us to serve the people and fulfil their vision for our nation."

Another X handle, which often shares anecdotes and developments linked to the prime minister's life, posted some pages from PM Modi's personal diary carrying quotes from Gandhi.

The handle '@modiarchive' said, "We bring to you pages from @narendramodi's personal diary, which demonstrate that not only did he extensively read Mahatma Gandhi, but he also wrote down Gandhi's quotes in his personal diary as something of inspirational value to him. These entries continued to guide his interactions later on." Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on this day in 1948.

Meanwhile, on Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary, the Congress on Tuesday asserted that the true tribute to the father of the nation would be to not let the "flame of truth and harmony" be extinguished in the "storm of hatred".

The party also said that those who glorify Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse should not and will not be allowed to define the idea of India.

Mahatma Gandhi death anniversary: 'The enemy is fear. We think it's hate but it is fear,' says Kharge

In a post on 'X', Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge cited a quote of Mahatma Gandhi, "The enemy is fear. We think it's hate but it is fear."

"On Martyrs Day, we pay our respects to Bapu, the moral compass of our nation. We must pledge to fight against those who seek to destroy his ideals based on 'sambhav' and 'sarvodaya'," Kharge said.

"Let us do everything to protect the India of 'unity in diversity' and ensure justice, equality and fraternity among our people," he said.

Mahatma Gandhi death anniversary: 'In this storm of hatred, the flame of truth and harmony must not be extinguished,' says Rahul Gandhi

In a post on 'X' in Hindi, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said that on this very day, the ideology of hatred and violence had snatched away the revered Bapu from the country. "And, today the same thinking wants to snatch away his principles and ideals from us," he said.

"But in this storm of hatred, the flame of truth and harmony must not be extinguished," the Congress leader said and added that this will be the true tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi death anniversary: 'Gandhiji's values will triumph,' says Chidambaram

Former Union minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said Mahatma Gandhi may have been killed but there are millions of Indians, especially ordinary Indians, who cherish his life and his teachings of love, harmony, fraternity and peace.

"These values are being challenged today but, ultimately, Gandhiji's values will triumph," he said.

Mahatma Gandhi death anniversary: Kerala CM urges people to safeguard secular values in tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted Mahatma Gandhi's "steadfast commitment to democracy and secularism" on Tuesday and urged everyone to safeguard the country's secular social fabric from the "clutches of religious fanaticism."

On the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's martyrdom, Vijayan in a post on 'X', said his message of peace and harmony is more crucial than ever.

"As communal forces attempt to undermine these values, let's heed Gandhi's warning against division and stand united for inclusivity and equality.

Let us pledge to safeguard our secular social fabric from the clutches of religious fanaticism, the very force that claimed Mahatma Gandhi's life," the chief minister said.

(With inputs from PTI)