Watch: This was how Mahatma Gandhi spun khadi (and this is how Narendra Modi spins it)
Who decided to replace Gandhi with Modi on the khadi calendar and diary?
The Charkha, a powerful symbol of progress and empowerment of the poorest of the poor. pic.twitter.com/DZ1Sorcv2k
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 18, 2016
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted a video of himself spinning khadi yarn on a charkha, evoking the iconic image of Mahatma Gandhi at the spinning wheel, little did people know that a larger plan was underway.
In the 2017 Khadi and Village Industries Commission calendar and table diary, Modi is seen recreating Gandhi’s pose at the spinning wheel, an act that has already provoked protests. “We are not against inclusion of Modiji’s picture,“ one of the protesting KVIC workers said, demanding reprinting of the calendars. “We simply want to know why Gandhiji has not been given the space here. Is Gandhiji no more relevant for [the] Khadi industry?”
Khadi Village Industries Chairman, Vikas Saxena, explained the decision by saying that Modi is Khadi’s “biggest brand ambassador” and a “youth icon”
The video below is old black-and-white footage of Gandhi using the charkha. He explained his use of the spinning wheel in a notable meeting with Charlie Chaplin: “I am not against machines but I cannot bear it when these very machines take away a man’s work from him. Today we are your slaves because we cannot overcome our attraction for your goods. Freedom will surely be ours if we learn to free ourselves from this attraction.”
Here are the images of Modi on the calendar and diary:
BIG NEWS..PM Modi 'usurps' charkha of Mahatma Gandhi #Modi #Charkha #Khadi #Calendar https://t.co/R5uBfk7bd3 pic.twitter.com/2yaFLXIQ30
— News24 (@news24tvchannel) January 12, 2017
The internet’s photo-shop army is already working in overdrive.
Gandhiji left suit boot to adopt Charkha. Modi left baniyan & Gamccha to adopt Suit Boot to showcase it on Charkha. pic.twitter.com/jSjBQoKMhM
— Ahàm Bràhmasmī (@Vedchetan) January 12, 2017
#आप_बेशर्म_है After spinning some BS on the Charkha Modi jee next leads the Dandi March https://t.co/wECJEQkfyh pic.twitter.com/YhMIYbdFjY
— Wideawakegentile (@The_Indian_Goy) January 12, 2017
Modi has stolen Schemes of UPA
— Shriraj Kesariya (@_shriraj) January 13, 2017
Modi has stolen Jacket from Nehru
and
now
Modi steal Mahatma Gandhi's Charkha#चरखा_चोर_मोदी #ChorModi pic.twitter.com/zEr5eltLr0