Dr.
Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Culture and Tourism inaugurated an
exhibition entitled ‘Frontier Gandhi and the
Indian Freedom Movement’ on the occasion of commemoration of “125th Birth
Anniversary of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan” organized by Ministry of Culture here
today. He honoured the Descendants of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan viz his
Great Grand daughters Ms. Yasmin Khan & Ms. Tanzeem Khan, and Great Grand
son Mr. Danish Khan by presenting shawls to them on this occasion. Prof. Lokesh
Chandra, Chairman NMML, Mr. Shaida Mohammad Abdali, Ambassador of Afghanistan
in India and senior officers of the Ministry of Culture were present.
Ministry of Culture has been celebrating the 125th
Birth Anniversary of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan during 2015-16. As a part of activities
under the commemoration and Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, New Delhi has
organized this exhibition and programme.
Addressing on the occasion, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that Khan Abdul
Ghaffar Khan was a great person who was devoted to the Freedom of India and
Hindu-Muslim unity. It is a great moment that today his family members are
present here in this function. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Gandhi ji were
complementary to each other and we will keep his memories alive for the decades
to come.
He said that Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’s 125th
birth anniversary calls for a special exploration of his life of
sacrifice, commitment and achievement. His life and message are an inspiration
for India and humanity at large. He stood for the finest in the Pathan
character as seen in his intense passion for freedom, implicit faith in God,
indomitable courage, boldness and fearlessness.
Dr.
Sharma said that Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a staunch nationalist and a
pluralist to the core. He never accepted the two nation theory and strongly
opposed the partition of India. He advocated the unity among the Hindus and
Muslims as one nation.
The Minister said Badshah Khan was of
the opinion that when various constitutional formulas failed against the Partition
Plan and a Referendum was recommended in the Frontier provinces to decide
whether it should join the latter or the former, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was
stunned at this decision. He said, "Mahatmaji, you have thrown us to the
wolves”.
The Minister said that Khan Abdul Ghaffar
Khan, popularly known as Badshah Khan or the Frontier Gandhi, was among those
truly distinguished leaders, who led the people in an epic struggle against
British imperialism. He was a deeply religious man, committed social reformer,
passionate advocator of Pashto language, believer in the unity of India and
above all a staunch Gandhian. He was awarded Bharat Ratna, India's highest
civilian award in 1987.
He opined said that Khan Abdul Ghaffar
Khan, being a socio-religious reformer to the core, realized that the lack of
proper education let the Pakhtuns go astray. He wanted to unite all the tribes
of Pakhtuns, educate them and reform the Pakhtun society, and eventually he
succeeded in his goal to a great extent.
Prof.
Lokesh Chandra, Chairman, NMML, Ms. Yasmin Khan, Great Grand Daughter of Khan
Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Shri K.K. Mittal, Addl. Secretary, M/o Culture and Ms.
Sonia Sethi, Joint Secretary, M/o Culture also addressed on the occasion.
*****
Sanjay
Kumar/jk/Culture/20.05.2016