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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 20, 2023 | The Indian Eye 34

“One nation, One election concept by BJP will

disrupt the democratic process”: Anil Shastri

SHARATH CHANDRA VEMUGANTI
New York, NY
nil Shastri, son of late Indian
Prime Minister Lal Bahadur
AShastri, was hosted by the
I.O.C.U.S.A. in New York at Baldev
Randhawa’s residence in New Rochell
on September 28, 2023, to discuss cur-
rent political dynamics in India. Mr.
Shastri shared memories of his father
and discussed the need to strengthen
the I.O.C.’s hand to support the Indi-
an National Congress party. He spoke
in detail about how democracy is be-
ing diminished in India under Modi’s
leadership and the importance of re-
capturing the letter and spirit of the
constitution and saving democracy by
defeating the ruling B.J.P. in the up-
coming election.
“Unlike in last eight years, India’s
electorate and young generation are
now realizing their misperception of
Narendra Modi’s rule, and re-elec- with the self-respect of India by ac-
tion of B.J.P. for a third time could cepting money or any aid from other
lead to a disaster. Congress President countries during a food shortage. He
Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, not only advocated but also gave up
and Rahul Gandhi formed a broad dinner once a week as a response to
coalition, “I.N.D.I.A.,” after winning the food grains blockade by the ma-
states like Karnataka.” Mr. Shastri jor powers during the Indo-Pak war.
said. “Opposition parties like A.A.P., The meeting commemorated the im-
T.M.C., and NCP were reluctant to mense achievements of Lal Bahadur
work under I.N.C.’s leadership before Shastri, such as the sowing seeds of
Karnataka elections. However, they the green revolution and the victory
now understood that Congress-led of the Indo-Pak war.
opposition with a one-on-one fight Mr. Harbachan Singh, Secre-
only can defeat B.J.P.,” he added. tary-General, welcomed Shri. Anil
He asserted that if any leader Shastri and his wife Manju to the
in India can answer Narendra Modi meeting. Mr. George Abraham,
by looking into his eyes, it is Rahul vice-chairman, described the goals
Gandhi. Despite all the posturing, and aspirations of the I.O.C. and
Narendra Modi is now afraid and emphasized the importance of close
feels threatened by the resurgence Great leaders like Lal Bahadur work. He shared anecdotes about his cooperation and dialogue. Mohinder
of the Congress Party. Anil Shastri Shastri and Jawaharlal Nehru thought father’s refusal to accept Russian and Singh Gilzian, the President, intro-
criticized the B.J.P.’s “one nation, their image would be magnified if the other countries’ aid during food short- duced Anil Shashtri to the audience
one election” concept, stating that country’s image was built up. Con- ages and his father’s determination and lauded him for his dedication and
simultaneous elections in the state trary to that, Narendra Modi believes to protect his self-respect as Prime commitment to the party.
and central governments would dis- precisely the opposite, and Narendra Minister of India. Answering an audi- Gurmit Gill Mulapur, Amar
rupt the Indian democratic process, Modi, as Prime Minister, used the ence’s question, Anil Shastri said that Singh Gulshan, Sophia Sharma,
potentially extending the President’s recent G-20 sessions to build his own his father was so poor that he could not Dayan Naik, Sharath Chandra Ve-
rule beyond six months, which needs image, said Mr. Shastri. He also ad- afford a boat ticket. He also rejected muganti, Joshua John, Baldev Rand-
a constitutional amendment and that vised the I.O.C. volunteers to use so- the free ride offer of the boatman and hawa, Jose George, Paul Karukapallil,
the basic structure of Indian consti- cial media and other related technol- used to swim across the mighty Gan- Thomas Koshy and Harry Singh also
tution is unchangeable. He criticized ogy to the maximum extent to change ges to attend his school. When asked spoke.
Modi’s government for deliberately people’s perceptions in India by con- why he swam, Lal Bahadur Shastri John Joseph thanked host Baldav
using issues such as “one nation, one veying reality and facts to them. said to Anil Shastri, “When a person Randhawa for their generous hosting
election,” etc., to divert the attention Anil Shastri recounted his father cannot protect his self-respect, he will of the event and the Chief Guest Anil
of the people from the real problems Lal Bahadur Shastri’s extraordinary not have the right to live.” Similarly, Shastri and Manju Shastri for their
that they are facing. determination, honesty, and hard he said that he could not compromise kind presence.

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