Equality, communal harmony two eyes of India: Baraguru Ramachandrappa

Bengaluru: Condemning communal fundamentalism, Kannada writer Baraguru Ramachandrappa on Thursday hailed Mahatma Gandhi for rising beyond historical limitations and propagating universal and eternal truths.

He was speaking during the state-wide 'Souharda Sankalpa Dina' organised by Souharda Karnataka on the occasion of the 77th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Explaining the differences between the father of the nation and his assassin Naturam Godse, Ramachandrappa said, "Gandhi and Godse were both Hindus but had completely different mindsets. Gandhi was an internal critic, while Godse was a fundamentalist who represents the unacceptable brand of representing a religion through violence."

The writer recalled Gandhi for being renowned for his communal harmony and ability to engage in discourses, adding that Gandhi had debates through his 'Harijan' and 'Young India' journals even with his ideological opponents.

He termed equality and communal harmony as the two eyes of India.

While acknowledging the various differences between Gandhi and B R Ambedkar, firebrand Dalit activist Mavalli Shankar noted that Ambedkar condemned Gandhi's murder and had participated in his funeral march.

Intellectual K Maralusiddappa also spoke on the occasion.