Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticized the BJP government in the state for neglecting the Gandhi Vatika developed during the previous Congress tenure. Gehlot, in his digital series Intezaar Shastra, raised concerns about the government’s treatment of the museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. He questioned whether the BJP was hesitant to promote Gandhi’s ideals of truth and non-violence to the younger generation.
Gehlot suggested that visits to the Gandhi Vatika should be made compulsory for educational institutions and advocated for increased publicity through advertisements and media platforms. He emphasized that any suppression of Gandhiji’s principles would not succeed. Additionally, Gehlot highlighted the establishment of the Gandhi Vatika Museum at Central Park and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Social Sciences during the 2021-22 Budget in honor of Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary.
The Gandhi Vatika Museum, constructed at a cost of Rs 85 crore over 14,500 square meters, aims to showcase Gandhi’s philosophy and values in a contemporary manner, focusing on truth, non-violence, and the freedom movement. Gehlot alleged that the BJP government kept the museum closed for almost a year after assuming power, reopening it only in 2024 following public pressure. He stressed the need for better management and maintenance of this significant cultural asset.
