Anil Vij'S comment on Mahatma Gandhi triggers controversy

Vij was quoted as saying by media: "Ever since Mahatma Gandhi's name has been on the rupee note, it has devalued."

He said showly the image of Gandhi will be removed from the Indian currency notes.

He even said that Mahatma Gandhi's name has been associated with Khadi and it has never been able to make any progress.

He said using Prime Minister Narendra Modi's image instead of Mahatma Gandhi on the calendar and diary of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) was a 'good step'.

"Modi is a much better brand name," he said.

" Sale of khadi products has gone up by 14 per cent since Modi's image was used (on the calendar)," he said.

Vij later retracted his statement.

He tweeted: "The comment, which I made on Mahatma Gandhi, was my personal opinion. In order to avoid hurting anyone’s sentiments, I am taking it back."

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi criticised the leader for his comment and said dictators Hitler and Mussolini were also very “powerful brands.”

"Hitler and Mussolini were also very powerful brands," the official Twitter handle of Rahul Gandhi posted.

The BJP distanced itself from the statement with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar calling it a personal statement of the leader and it had nothing to do with the party.

The calendar and diary of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has triggered a controversy as the covers of them featured Prime Minister Narendra Modi spinning the charkha.

The opposition leaders, including Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, have slammed the Centre over the issue.

The image of the 'Father of the Nation' Mahatma Gandhi has been replaced by the picture of the PM on the covers of the calendar and diary.

In the picture which has triggered a controversy, Modi is seen sitting on a pose which was associated with Mahatma Gandhi.

Image: Wikimedia Commons