'The word Gandhigiri is insult to Bapu'

Ex-Delhi HC Chief Justice Sachar feels trivialising the noble concept of Satyagraha is simply "atrocious".

Munnabhai

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may have touched millions across the globe with

Gandhigiri

, but the gangster with a heart of gold has not impressed former Delhi High Court Chief Justice Rajender Sachar, who feels trivialising the noble concept of Satyagraha is simply "atrocious".

As the country celebrated the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's concept of passive resistance, Justice Sachar said it was "simply atrocious" the way the entire nation has come to think that Gandhigiri, a product of the 2006 superhit Lage RahoMunnabhai, defines all that Satyagraha stands for.

"For the last three months I have been hearing Gandhigiri... Gandhigiri... I think it is most insulting to the Father of the Nation and his ideals," Justice Sachar said addressing a Satyagraha Centenary National Programme at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in New Delhi on Saturday.

However, he admits to having enjoyed the Rajkumar Hirani film that took the nation by storm with its attempt to revive Gandhiji's principles of peaceful non-cooperation, simple living and high thinking in a manner in the present day life.

Sachar said Satyagraha was a part of our judicial rights and the Supreme Court recognises the theory for peaceful demonstrations as a legal doctrine.

"But Satyagraha is not just for our country. Let's globalise Gandhiji to spread his message across the world," he said.

Noted Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande agreed. "As Gandhiji's true followers, we should take his teachings forward, rise above nationalism and imbibe the growing world public opinion for peace."