Gandhians to abstain from 'Dandi March'

Even as the Congress is involved in hectic preparations for the re-enactment of Mahatma Gandhi's 'Dandi March' to mark the 75th anniversary of the salt satyagraha, veteran Gandhians have decided to abstain from the event.

The Congress insists there is nothing political about the event, commencing from March 12. It said the march is being organised to make people, especially the youth, aware of the contributions made by the Father of the Nation.

Talking to PTI, 87-year-old veteran Gandhian Chunibhai Vaidya said, "The whole thing is being organised by the Congress. Ideally they should have asked us to organise it and lend their support...They have not even sent proper invitations to Gandhians.

"What is the purpose, I do not know. However, I wish them success," he added.

Chunibhai, fondly referred to as Chunikaka, is a veteran Gandhian, who, inspired by Gandhi, discontinued formal education and indulged in activities against the British rule during the Quit India Movement.

According to Vaidya, Gujarat Sarvodaya Mandal, a body of Gandhians, Saurashtra Rachanatmak Samiti, Gujarat Khadi Mandal and other Gandhian bodies are not participating in the march.