Indians are unhappy with the fact that their Prime Minister has now entered wall calendars and table diaries.
Issued by the government-owned Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC), the 2017 calendars and diaries carry a cover photograph of Narendra Modi, instead of Mahatma Gandhi, who’d been on it for decades.
Modi is seen weaving ‘khadi’ (a handspun cotton cloth) in a ‘charkha’ (a traditional spinning wheel) in the classic Gandhi pose, which was a symbol of the nationalist movement in pre-independent India.
Image: AP
Khadi’s association with Gandhi is not only historic but also philosophical as it reflects his values and ideals of simplicity. Khadi workers have now revolted and are reportedly marching in protest of the move. Some have even called for the “reprinting” of calendars.
It has largely antagonized the masses too, some of whom have deemed the act “shameful”.
Most employees and officials were taken aback to see the cover photo of the calendar showing Modi weaving khadi. https://t.co/7y5G8h0Qnb
New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) January 12, 2017
Khadi & Gandhiji are symbols of our history,self-reliance &struggle.Removing Gandhiji’s photo is a sacrilegious sin. https://t.co/7CBzOQdfpb
Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) January 13, 2017
@KapilSibal this shameful act of Modi govt of replacing M Gandhis photo on Khadi calendar will further isolate them from Indian masses
Sunil Kapoor (@SunilKapoorabcd) January 13, 2017
Mahatma Gandhi sacrificed started Swadeshi movement and wore only khadi
While Modi ji is obsessed with foreign cloths#__ pic.twitter.com/Z2PD0qZ2APDelhi Congress (@WithCongDelhi) January 13, 2017
Somebody Ask him to put his own face on currency notes, and govt stamps. That’s the only thing left.#__ https://t.co/STOwilccdi
Siona Gogoi (@siona_gogoi) January 13, 2017
Modi now has his photo on the khadi calendar? What a narcissist.
Akshul Agarwal (@akshul) January 13, 2017
Today I take a pledge not to buy Khadi products till such time #Modi apologize to Nation for replacing Gandhi ji photo by his own photo.
Kumar (@RamUK_R) January 13, 2017
Modiji,
The entire khadi industry (udyog) is based on Gandhijis philosophy and not yours.https://t.co/oXWnsE8n33Amol Khodke (@AmolvKhodke) January 12, 2017
Chor modi, first you took the dress of Nehru, then his jacket and now you have the audacity of replacing Gandhi from Khadi#__ pic.twitter.com/AIiphqFzki
KilaFateh #INC (@KilaFateh) January 13, 2017
Charkha and Khadi always will be associated with Mahatma Gandhi , he is immortal through is work one narcissist can replace him on
Pamela (@pamela_pam123) January 13, 2017
Attempt to replace Gandhi ji who led foundation of khadi is a National shame #__ pic.twitter.com/ZKkSPKYuZd
Manoj Kumar Yadav (@itsmkyadav) January 13, 2017
After replacing Gandhi ji from khadi udyog Calendar, we can expect modi can replace him from Notes #khadi pic.twitter.com/Dt6bqVFVGm
(@anandraivats) January 12, 2017
However, there are a few counter-narratives, especially that of the KVIC chairman, who says that Modi will only end up popularizing khadi.
How can anyone replace the father of the nation? One can only emulate his action.The picture is a message of our re-dedication to Khadi.
Chairman KVIC (@ChairmanKvic) January 12, 2017
And his sentiments are echoed by some who think that KVIC sales will now see a spurt with Modi on the cover of its products.
Time to remind KVISC protesting @narendramodi pics in calendar that because of @PMOIndia we buy 6 to 7 Khadi dress last 2 yrs @bjpsamvad
Viswanathan Iyer (@giviswa) January 13, 2017
Khadi Udyog needs sales & promotion.
Should it be let to die with Gandhi’s photo OR should it be revived with Modi’s popularity?(@WoCharLog) January 13, 2017
For the first time since its inception, the Khadi Gramodyog Calendar will actually sell!!
Shefali Vaidya (@ShefVaidya) January 13, 2017
BONUS: Even Fox News is defending CNN against Trump
Read more: http://mashable.com/2017/01/13/modi-replaces-gandhi-in-government-calendar-india-upset/