Face of Nation : Former Greens leader Bob Brown has accused billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani of “leeching” off the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi ahead of 150th birthday celebrations for the revered independence leader.
The former Greens senator held a demonstration at a statue of Gandhi in Brisbane on Tuesday to complain about Adani’s sponsorship of birthday celebrations in the city on Wednesday. He said Adani was trying to piggyback off everything Gandhi stood for.
Asked if his own demonstration at the Roma Street Parklands statue – unveiled by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 – might lead people to think Dr Brown was doing the same thing he said: “Let them”.
Dr Brown said it was a “travesty” that a company run by Mr Adani would sponsor celebrations of the globally-lauded Indian national hero. “(Gandhi) comes from Gujarat state as does Adani, that’s where the similarity ends – they’re polar opposites,” Mr Brown said.
He said the Bob Brown foundation has appealed to the Australia India Business Council, which is hosting the celebrations, to let his foundation be a sponsor instead.
Asked if he thought Indian people would be offended by his stance, Mr Brown said he was helping to highlight the celebrations. “No, we’re making it very clear we’re here to help highlight this celebration but Adani (should be) out,” Mr Brown said.
It said the Adani foundation has contributed about $32.8 million to charitable work in the past two years to help Indian communities based on Gandhian values of “using wealth, talent and privileges for those who are not-so-fortunate”.
“We are proud of the ways in which we have been able to contribute towards Gandhi’s vision for India and are proud to support events like this here in Australia, dedicated to his memory,” the company said in a statement.
