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Ahmed Patel dedicates Indulal Yagnik's statue in Ahmedabad

February 22, 2015 19:26 IST

Congress leader and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Ahmed Patel unveiled a nine-foot bronze statue of Indulal Yagnik, who spearheaded the Mahagujarat movement in late 1950s demanding a separate Gujarat state, at Sabarmati in Ahmedabad.

“There are several things to learn from the life of Indu chacha . The foremost is the fight against injustice,” Adhmed said at the gathering which was attended by more than 3,000 people.

Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added, “\We should learn that to serve the people you don't need a 56" inch chest, but strong will power.”

“The state owes so much to Indu Chacha but during the golden jubilee celebration of the state I didn't see any posters of him. The government shouldn’t think that by ignoring him or by not putting his pictures can erase his memory,” he said.

“Indu chacha is so strongly rooted in conscience of Gujaratis, that no one can erase his influence,” he added.

He said that the dispensation is using public money to create a superficial sense of ‘shine’ will not do any good and shall hurt in the long run.

“The media has been asking me about the suit which the PM has auctioned. I don't want to make any personal comments, but only want to remind him what he said in a rally in Bengal. He had said he loves art but questioned who was paying so much of money for the paintings which were auctioned. Doesn't the same apply to the suit?” he questioned.

“Parliament session starts on Monday. Congress’ strategy committee will decide what course to take. But I can assure the people of Gujarat that the party will not support any policy which goes against the interest of the people,” he added.