Ahmedabad: Launching an attack on the communal forces, Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh today (Oct 18, 2004) exhorted youth to emulate teachings of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.

"It is unfortunate that in this land of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most brutal genocide has taken place which shamed the whole nation. Moreover, what is surprising is that in this very land Hitler is being glorified here rather than Gandhi," Singh said while addressing students at the Gujarat Vidhyapeeth's convocation in Ahmedabad.

He said, "It was ironic that some people, who have the mindset of Nathuram Godse were trying to misuse and capitalise on the divine name of Ram to stoke communal passions."

The younger generation should take a leaf out of the life of Gandhi, who epitomised sacrifice and urged them to maintain their mental balance and fight against the communal forces, Singh said.

He also criticised previous Government at the Centre for trying to distort History especially those events relating to assassination of Gandhi.