T’puram/Idukki: Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday attended the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the historic meeting between Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi. The event was held at the Asramam ground in Kollam as part of the centenary celebrations and an all-religion conference organized to commemorate the historic interaction between the two leaders. Rahul, who inaugurated the function in the morning, said he was fighting to protect the Constitution and remarked that the principles advocated by Guru reflected remarkably in the Constitution’s core values. He said the Constitution emphasises the need to consider and uplift those at the bottom of society, which was also the message repeatedly emphasised by Guru. He said the essence of the Constitution lies in compromise and forgiveness ideals that Guru also preached.Rahul said both Gandhi and Guru spoke about truth and moral responsibility. He noted that it was easy for anyone to come before a statue of Guru and offer flowers but what truly mattered was walking the path laid down by Guru’s teachings.He also criticised the current political climate, stating that many developments in politics today were the very things opposed by Guru and Gandhi. He urged society to adopt the principles taught by Guru and to follow that path. Rahul said Gandhi, who did not rely on power or authority but on moral strength, should be seen as a model for society.The centenary celebrations and the all-religion conference were organized by Sivagiri Mutt and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies, functioning under KPCC. ‘People not watching Kerala Story 2 encouraging’Meanwhile, Rahul criticised the controversial film ‘The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond’ during an interactive session held at Marian College, Kuttikkanam, on Friday. Rahul said theatres screening the film are largely empty and it is encouraging that people are not watching it. He said most people in the country understand that the film does not reflect the real heritage and culture of Kerala.He alleged that films and sections of the media in the country are increasingly being used to create divisions among people and to “other” certain communities. Rahul interacted with students for nearly two hours, responding to questions on a wide range of topics, including the possibilities of artificial intelligence, the importance of India as a data market, and as tensions involving Iran and the US.A student, M Dinashree, invited Rahul to join her in practising kalaripayattu. Rahul accepted the invitation, and the brief practice demonstration on stage drew applause from audience. MPs K C Venugopal and Dean Kuriakose also joined him. Rahul later had lunch with students and also shared his views on International Women’s Day.
