Vijayawada: AP Speaker Ayyannapatrudu Pays Homage to Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa
Ayyannapatrudu described Pietermaritzburg as a “sacred ground” in world history.
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the historic Pietermaritzburg Railway Station in KwaZulu-Natal area of South Africa on Sunday.
Accompanied by AP Legislature secretary general Prasanna Kumar Suryadevara, Ayyannapatrudu visited the Gandhi Memorial and Pietermaritzburg station platform, where Gandhi had been forcibly removed from a first-class train compartment on June 7, 1893, because of racial segregation.
The AP speaker spent time in the waiting room, where Gandhi endured a bitterly cold winter night following the incident.
Ayyannapatrudu described Pietermaritzburg as a “sacred ground” in world history, where Gandhi refused to accept racial prejudice, which ultimately led to a global movement for truth, equality, and human rights.
He said Gandhi’s moral courage in turning personal adversity into a movement against racial discrimination and colonial subjugation continues to inspire parliamentary democracies.
“As custodians of parliamentary democracy, we draw enduring inspiration from Gandhi’s ideals to ensure that justice, constitutional values, and the voice of every citizen remain supreme in our legislative bodies,” the AP speaker stated.
He visited the archival photo gallery documenting Gandhi’s 21-year stay and activities in South Africa, including Gandhi’s role in founding the Natal Indian Congress.
During his visit, community representatives briefed Ayyannapatrudu about the ongoing efforts to preserve the historic memorial site and its legacy.
