Mr Vij, How Do You Insult Bapu and Then ‘Retract’ It Nonchalantly?

“Hitler and Mussolini were also popular brands,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted in response to Vij’s remarks.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

After Haryana Minister Anil Vij remarked that Mahatma Gandhi's image should be taken off Indian currency as it has led to its devaluation, there was nationwide outrage.

Though Vij 'took his words back' later, the damage was done. Right from the main Opposition party Congress to Gandhi’s great grandson to the common man, angry reactions poured in thick and fast, both online and offline.

BJP strongly condemns the statement of Anil Vij. It is his personal remark and not the party’s stand. Mahatma Gandhi is our icon. 

Shrikant Sharma, BJP 

It is his personal opinion and has nothing to do with the party. 

Manohar Lal Khattar, Haryana CM 

One can only expect such kind of objectionable and nonsensical statements from the BJP’s leaders and ministers. 

RS Surjewala, Congress 

Family Reacts

The way corrupt politicians use money for ill-practices, it will be good if Bapu is removed from the notes. 

Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s Great-Grandson 

How Does One “Retract” Words?

People were miffed over how Vij made the offensive statement and then very nonchalantly ‘took it back’.

Some pointed out that though BJP celebrates Mahatma Gandhi, claims to practice his ideology of swadeshi or Make in India and has made him the emblematic face of the Swachh Bharat campaign, a party leader has made derogatory remarks about him.

#BJPInsultsBapu

Soon after, #BJPInsultsBapu started trending, with people making vitriolic statements against PM Modi and his party for hurting the sentiments of the country.