Even as the Centre mulls bringing in a legislation that makes derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi an offence, a parody website that attempts to poke fun at the ‘Father of the Nation’ has raised the hackles of the advocates of Gandhian philosophy.
The satirised portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi on uncyclopedia.com, a self-proclaimed spoof website which can be edited by anyone and parodies the wikipedia in looks and content, begins thus: “Political activist, lawyer, non-violent inner-cage fighter, freedom fighter and peaceful protester, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi practised non-violence by only taking out his anger on his wife, who bore the brunt of his peace.”
The biography, in its course, ridicules the Freedom Struggle, Salt Satyagraha and the leader’s fight against untouchability. The site terms his fight against the British Empire as follows: “Speaking on street corners, organizing rallies, thumbing his nose at Brit soldiers and running away...Gandhi laid the groundwork for harassing the English”.
“It’s sad that the Father of the Nation is victim to such a character assassination attempt. But, such efforts to belittle him will not find success and truth will remain strong for ever,” said P Gopinathan Nair, All India Gandhi Smarak Nidhi chairman.
Kerala Assembly Speaker G Karthikeyan said the portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in bad light is unacceptable to any self-respecting Indian.
“Such wicked attempts challenging history cannot be termed freedom of expression. Gandhi and his non-violent movement have followers worldwide. Such malicious attempts should be opposed,” he said.
Nobel laureates Rabindranath Tagore and Mother Teresa too have not been spared by the website.
“Rabindranath Tagore’s most profitable business investment was his death in 1941, upon which, even his drafts and personal letters were sold in auctions, gathered and accumulated into forms of books” says a lengthy article on Tagore uploaded in the website.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are also featured in articles in similar tone.