Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Thursday raised a series of questions to the BJP government in the state, accusing it of neglecting the Gandhi Vatika developed during the previous Congress tenure.
Continuing his attack against the state government on various issues through the digital series, Intezaar Shastra, Gehlot said, “The government’s intentions regarding the neglect of Gandhi Vatika remain unclear. Although the BJP unlocked the museum under public pressure, it is now being subjected to evident and troubling neglect.”
“Is the BJP so intimidated by Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of truth and non-violence that it seeks to keep them from reaching the younger generation?” he asked. Gehlot also put forward a set of suggestions, stating that educational visits to the site should be made mandatory for schools and colleges, and that the museum should receive wider publicity through advertisements and other media channels.
He added that any attempt to suppress Gandhiji’s ideals would ultimately fail. Referring to a video shared as part of his campaign, Gehlot said that during the 2021-22 Budget, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it was decided to establish two institutions in his memory: the Gandhi Vatika Museum at Central Park and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Social Sciences.
The Gandhi Vatika Museum has been designed to present Gandhi’s thoughts and philosophy in a modern format, reflecting the principles of truth (satya), non-violence (ahimsa), and the freedom movement. Built at a cost of Rs 85 crore over an area of 14,500 square metres, the museum has been described in his post as one of the most visually striking of its kind in the country.
He alleged that the BJP government kept the museum closed for nearly a year after coming to power, and that it was opened only in 2024 following protests and warnings of a dharna. Gehlot further said that while the museum remains an important cultural asset, there is considerable scope to improve its management and upkeep.