Self-restraint only solution: PM

MUMBAI, APRIL 8. The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today exhorted the people to observe ``sayyam'' (self-restraint) and ``Aparigraha'' (not to accumulate wealth more than required), professed by Lord Mahavira as it was the only way to remove the malice of corruption.

Addressing the 2600th birth anniversary celebrations of Lord Mahavira at the Shanmukhananda Hall in central Mumbai, Mr. Vajpayee said the Jain saint's concept of self-restraint was relevant even today as greed was the root cause of corruption.

Lord Mahavira's message on non-violence should be spread to the entire world as its necessity was being felt with changing times because the world was sitting on a stockpile of nuclear weapons, capable of destroying it many times over. Non- violence as preached by Lord Mahavira did not spring from any ``weakness'' or ``cowardice''.

The same concept was professed by Mahatma Gandhi in modern times, he said adding ``when Jammu and Kashmir was attacked after Independence, Gandhiji said India should send troops to the State to protect the principle of non-violence.

``If we remain passive and forgive those who keep subjecting us to injustice and atrocities, then the act of forgiving becomes meaningless,'' the Prime Minister said.

The concept of a multipolar world, being hailed today, had its roots in Lord Mahavira's concept of Anekatavad (plurality).

Dig at Sena

Mr. Vajpayee also took an apparent dig at the Shiv Sena - the BJP ally - whose reported reluctance to participate in the proposed NDA rally here led to its cancellation. Without mentioning the Shiv Sena's opposition to the entry of outsiders into the city, he said ``we want Mumbai to be free for everybody''.

Referring to the slip on the part of the organisers to forget to extend an invitation to the State Governor, Dr. P. C. Alexander, the Prime Minister said the Governor had ``forgiven'' the organisers for their oversight, in keeping with the principles of Jainism.

He appealed to the Jain community to continue its liberal assistance to the earthquake-affected people of Gujarat. He told Mumbaikars, ``we regard Mumbai as the second capital of India and I am sure it will not forget Gujarat in its hour of grief.''

The Prime Minister later gave away ``Jain Ratna'' awards to 26 prominent persons from the community and inaugurated the ``Jain confederation document'' as well as released a book titled ``Vardhaman''.

Earlier, 55 Mumbai Pradesh Youth Congress workers were injured, five of them seriously, after they were lathi-charged by the police when they tried to block Mr. Vajpayee's motorcade from the airport.

The MPYC activists holding black flags were demanding the resignation of the Central Government in view of the Tehelka expose. Members of the Republican Party of India also took part.

- PTI

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