Gita Press 100-year-old publisher of Hindu texts chosen for Gandhi Peace Prize
Gita Press 100-year-old publisher of Hindu texts chosen for Gandhi Peace Prize
The 100-year old Gita Press was selected for the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 by a jury headed by PM Modi. The publishing unit, established in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur in 1923, is known for printing religious Hindu texts to promote the principles of ‘Sanatan Dharma’.
The award will be conferred on Gita Press for its “contribution towards social, economic and political change through non-violent and other Gandhian methods”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated the Gita Press on being selected for the Gandhi Peace Prize.
In a tweet, he wrote, “Gita Press has done a commendable job in the direction of furthering social and cultural change among the people in 100 years.”
However, Gita Press has declined ₹1 crore cash award as controversy over its selection for the Gandhi Peace Prize brews.
Gita Press in a statement elaborates that although it was a matter of great honour to be awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize. But, it would not accept the cash component which is ₹1 crore.
Reportedly, Gita Press also clarified that by not accepting the cash prize of ₹1 crore, the publisher was “keeping with its tradition of not receiving any kind of donations.
“It is a matter of great honour for us. It is our principle not to accept any kind of donations, so the trustee board has decided not to take the award in any monetary form.
According to Gita Press Manager, Lalmani Tripathi
the publishers will certainly accept the award for the honour of it.
Gita Press also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Culture Ministry for conferring the prestigious award on it.
Earlier in the day, Congress likened it to awarding VD Savarkar and Mahatma Gandhi’s killer Nathuram Godse.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to Twitter and listed a book titled ‘Gita Press and the making of Hindu rashtra’ which according to him the author unearths the stormy relations. it Gita Press had with the Mahatma and the running battles it carried on with him on his political, religious & social agenda. The decision is really a travesty and is like awarding Savarkar and Godse.
A jury headed by PM Narendra Modi unanimously decided to select Gita Press as the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize. He added that they have done commendable work over the last 100 years towards furthering social and cultural transformations among the people.
Meanwhile, the honour comes to Gita Press for its “outstanding contribution towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.
News input KV Raman
