Odisha BJP Leader Rues Non-Adherence To Mahatma Gandhi’s Ideals

Bhubaneswar: BJP MLA and Leader of the Opposition, Pradipta Naik on Tuesday expressed concern over the non-adherence to the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.

Addressing the Assembly during a special discussion to mark the 100 years of Gandhi’s visit to Odisha, Naik said time has come to ask whether the ideals of the Father of the Nation are scrupulously followed.

“Gandhiji had said, “I would rather have India reduced to a state of pauperism than have thousands of drunkards in our midst. I would rather have India without education if that is the price to be paid for making it dry.’ Unfortunately, the Odisha government has left no stone unturned to earn as much revenue from liquor and it has gone to extent of rewarding those selling more liquor. If this is the state of affairs in our state, what kind of tribute we are paying to the father of our nation,” Naik asked.

The BJP leader also said that Odisha was the first state in the country to enforce the anti-cow slaughter laws. Now in stark contrast, cattle trafficking in this state is one of the highest in the country, he alleged.

Referring to the use of English in official works, Naik said according to Gandhiji, thinking that there can be no work without English is mental slavery. But in Odisha, English has taken precedence over our mother tongue Odia.