Only 3 MPs turn up to pay tribute to Maulana Azad in Parliament

Only three MPs turned up in the programme organised in the Central Hall of the Parliament on Sunday on the occasion of 130th birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

Only three MPs participated in the program organized in the Central Hall of the Parliament on Sunday on the occasion of 130th anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the country's first Education Minister. Photo: ABP News

NEW DELHI: Only three MPs participated in the programme organised in the Central Hall of the Parliament on Sunday on the occasion of 130th birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who was Independent India's first Education Minister and a celebrated scholar. Leader  of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel and BJP MP Satyanarayan Jatiya, along with the Lok Sabha general secretary, paid floral tribute to Azad, the leader who gave the country institutions like UGC, IIT and others. Expressing his disappointment, Ghulam Nabi Azad said it was sad that only three members of parliament were present during the programme. The Congress leader said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have attended the ceremony but when asked about the absence of Congress leaders, he tried to dodge the question saying it depends upon them. Vijay Goel, however, said such meetings should not be linked with 'numbers' politics. He said most of the MPs are in their constituencies as there's no parliamentary session going on, thus they didn't attend the programme. He also questioned the absence of Congress leaders. November 11 is celebrated as National Education Day in commemoration of Maulana Azad. The photo of Maulana Azad's birth anniversary event was in stark contrast to that of Sardar Patel's, which was celebrated 11 days ago. The government had organised Patel's anniversary on a large scale across the country. Top BJP and Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, LK Advani were present in the Central Hall to pay tribute. Also, PM Modi inaugurated the Statue of Unity in Gujarat on October 30 while Rahul Gandhi attacked the Centre citing the legacy of Patel. But on Sunday, there came no tweet from Rahul Gandhi in the memory of the youngest ever Congress president. Earlier in the day, President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Modi paid tributes to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. "On his birth anniversary, tributes to Maulana Azad, freedom fighter, scholar and India's first Education Minister. In his honour, we celebrate November 11 as National Education Day," the President tweeted. Besides Azad, the Prime Minister also paid tributes to Acharya J.B. Kripalani on his birth anniversary. "Remembering Acharya J.B. Kripalani and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on their birth anniversaries. Two exemplary personalities, their notable role during the freedom struggle and emphasis on public welfare, equality, education and justice will never be forgotten." Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar also paid tribute to Maulana Azad, hailing him for his contribution in the post-independence nation-building. "Tributes to the two officials of Indian history, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and J.B. Kripalani, on their birth anniversary. Their contribution to the independence movement of India and later was highly beneficial in building our country," Javadekar tweeted. JB Kripalani, also known as Acharya Kripalani, was a freedom fighter and the President of Congress party during the years India became free from colonial rule.