Maintaining that the BJP did not believe in the concept of “political untouchability”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would celebrate the birth anniversaries of late Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi in schools across the country from November 14 to 19.
“My Government has decided to celebrate 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. We do not believe in the politics of untouchability. Nehru was the country’s first Prime Minister. Chacha Nehru used to love children and children loved him back. That’s why we have decided to celebrate his birthday on November 14 and later the birthday of his daughter Indira Gandhi on November 19,” Modi said, while addressing an election rally in Nagpur.
Seeking to link the two birthdays to the “Swachchh Bharat” mission launched by him on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, Modi said: “Between November 14 and 19, we plan to spread the message of cleanliness in schools across the country. During this period, children will be taught how to clean the place and will be trained in clean habits. They will be taught things like cutting of their finger nails, keeping hairs clean and the need for washing hands before taking food... Since Chacha Nehru used to love children, there cannot be better tribute to him than inculcating the sense of cleanliness in children”.
Modi went on to add: “I want to tell voters of Maharashtra that elections are not about politics. They are not about electing MlAs, but about deciding the future of your children… If you want Maharashtra to be number 1, elect a Government with majority, give BJP a majority”.