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Don't Use Mahatma Gandhi's Photos In 'Dirty' Places, Centre Asks States

So that 'sentiments are not hurt'.
A student sits next to a painting of Mahatma Gandhi as part of Independence Day celebrations.
Babu Babu / Reuters
A student sits next to a painting of Mahatma Gandhi as part of Independence Day celebrations.

Days after the Khadi icon row, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'replaced' Mahatama Gandhi in the iconic picture of spinning the charkha, the Centre has decided that no one's sentiment should be hurt.

So, the central government has asked the state governments to avoid using sketches, photos or logos of Mahatma Gandhi on places that could be considered dirty, reports Times Of India.

Even his belongings such as his iconic spectacles, charkha or watch shouldn't be used on walls of public toilets and garbage bins, they have advised.

According to the report, a recent advisory has been issued saying this should be done "so that sentiment of anyone may (not) be hurt in implementing Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) programme."

Incidentally, the Swachh Bharat logo is the 'vision of Gandhi' in the form of his spectacles with its bridge in the tricolor.

The circular was issued after a case was filed in a Chhattisgarh court against the use photos of Gandhi in 'filthy' places. The court dismissed the petition and said that it is not a 'disrespect to the father of the nation.'

However, the court said wherever any symbol associated with Mahatma Gandhi is used, it should be used and "placed in such a fashion and that it cannot be easily defaced and should not be used in such a manner which causes disrespect to the father of the nation."

Also see on HuffPost:

Iconic Photos Of Mahatma Gandhi

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.