Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Gandhi’s Principles
In Bengaluru, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasized the importance of Mahatma Gandhi’s democratic principles as a counter to the fundamentalist ideology of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Speaking on Thursday, Rao highlighted the dangers of fundamentalism, using Nathuram Godse, Gandhi’s assassin, as an example of someone who believed in such ideology.
Rao explained that fundamentalists often justify heinous acts as being for a greater cause, which he sees as a significant danger. He argued that Gandhi’s approach, which he termed ‘Gandhiwad’, is the best way to counter such ideologies. Gandhi, despite being deeply religious, was inclusive and believed in democracy, consensus, and reconciliation.
Rao reiterated these views during a book launch event for the Kannada version of “Gandhi’s Assassin: The Making of Nathuram Godse and His Idea of India” by journalist Dhirendra K. Jha. He stated that Gandhi’s arguments should prevail over Savarkar’s in India.
Doubts Revealed
Karnataka Health Minister -: The Health Minister is a person in charge of health-related matters in the state of Karnataka, which is a region in southern India.
Dinesh Gundu Rao -: Dinesh Gundu Rao is a politician from Karnataka, India, who is currently serving as the Health Minister of the state.
Mahatma Gandhi -: Mahatma Gandhi was a leader in India’s struggle for independence from British rule, known for his non-violent approach and democratic principles.
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar -: Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was an Indian independence activist and writer, known for his ideas on Hindu nationalism.
Fundamentalist ideology -: Fundamentalist ideology refers to strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles, often leading to extreme views.
Nathuram Godse -: Nathuram Godse was the person who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi in 1948, and he was influenced by extremist ideologies.
Gandhiwad -: Gandhiwad refers to the principles and ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, focusing on non-violence, inclusivity, and democracy.
Book launch event -: A book launch event is a gathering where a new book is introduced to the public, often with discussions or speeches about its content.
