Indians up in arms after Modi replaces Gandhi in state-issued calendar

Calendars and diaries issued by government-owned Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in India have replaced Mahatma Gandhi’s cover photograph with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s, and it has not gone down well with people.



Gandhi’s photographs featured on the calendars for decades. The khadi company’s use of Gandhi’s photographs reflected its values and the country’s history. However, this year the calendars saw Modi weaving 'khadi' in a 'charkha' (a traditional spinning wheel) in the classic Gandhi pose -- a symbol of the nationalist movement in pre-independent India.



Considering the act 'shameful,' some criticised the move, while others saw it as a good marketing strategy. Khadi workers have now revolted and are reportedly marching in protest of the move. Some have even called for 'reprinting' of calendars.

Modi, who stormed to power in 2014 in the biggest election victory in 30 years, has long played up his humble roots as the son of a railway station tea seller.

But he has also been accused of self-aggrandisement and being out of touch -- he auctioned a controversial tailored suit in 2015 that bore his name in gold pinstripes.

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said the row over the calendar had been overblown. His minister of micro, small and medium enterprises, Kalraj Mishra, said there was no question of Modi or anyone else replacing Gandhi.

Khadi & Gandhiji are symbols of our history,self-reliance &struggle.Removing Gandhiji's photo is a sacrilegious sin. https://t.co/7CBzOQdfpb

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) January 13, 2017

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

https://twitter.com/akshul/status/819805200214933507

Somebody Ask him to put his own face on currency notes, and govt stamps. That's the only thing left.#चरखा_चोर_मोदी https://t.co/STOwilccdi

— Assam Tweeter (@AssamTweeter) 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 Gandhiji’s philosophy and not yours.https://t.co/oXWnsE8n33

— AMMOLH KHODKAY (@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#चरखा_चोर_मोदी pic.twitter.com/AIiphqFzki

— KilaFateh (@KilaFateh) January 13, 2017

https://twitter.com/pamela_pam123/status/819794895929942016

After replacing Gandhi ji from khadi udyog Calendar, we can expect modi can replace him from Notes #khadi pic.twitter.com/Dt6bqVFVGm

— आनन्द राय INC (@anandraivats) January 12, 2017

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

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 Ji 🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@giviswa) January 13, 2017

https://twitter.com/WoCharLog/status/819774367273861125

For the first time since its inception, the Khadi Gramodyog Calendar will actually sell!!

— Shefali Vaidya. 🇮🇳 (@ShefVaidya) January 13, 2017

This article originally appeared on Mashable.