Truth ‘prohibited’ in politics, fooling people wins praise: In Nitin Gadkari says at Nagpur event

Last year, Gadkari had voiced concern over opportunistic leaders who align themselves with whichever party is in power, calling it a ‘deterioration in ideology’ harmful to democracy.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday urged people to lead their lives with honesty and dedication, cautioning that shortcuts may bring quick gains but ultimately erode credibility. Speaking at a programme organised by the Akhil Bhartiya Mahanubhav Parishad, he said values such as truth and integrity always outlast shortcuts, reported NDTV.

“There is always a shortcut to achieve something, and it may appear faster. For example, one might cross a red light to get ahead, but the real meaning of shortcut is that it cuts you short. That’s why we have been given values like honesty, credibility, dedication, and truth. Long-lasting success belongs to truth. As Lord Krishna wrote in the Bhagavad Gita — in the end, truth always prevails,” Gadkari said, according to NDTV.

In a lighter vein, the Union Minister remarked that in his line of work, speaking the truth was “prohibited.” “In the field where I work, speaking the truth with all my heart is prohibited. The one who can fool people the best can be the best leader,” he quipped, as quoted by NDTV.

Gadkari also praised the teachings of Mahanubhav sect founder Chakradhar Swami, calling them a guiding light for society. He stressed that change in individuals stems from the values imparted to them and highlighted the Swami’s emphasis on truth (satya), non-violence (ahimsa), peace (shanti), humanity (manavta) and equality (samanta). “Satya is the basis of our life, and we should follow it. We must spread positivity and never hurt anyone,” he added, according to NDTV.

Known for his candid and sometimes blunt statements, Gadkari has often stirred debate. Earlier this month, he suggested that citizens filing petitions against the government in court would help instil discipline in public administration. “Even ministers cannot do what a court order can do. Popular politics often gets in the way of governance, so there must be people who hold the government accountable,” he noted, as reported by NDTV.

Last year, Gadkari had voiced concern over opportunistic leaders who align themselves with whichever party is in power, calling it a “deterioration in ideology” harmful to democracy. He observed that while some leaders remain committed to their principles, their numbers are dwindling. “I always say jokingly that no matter which party is in power, one thing is certain — those who do good work rarely get respect, and those who do bad work are never punished,” he said, without naming anyone, NDTV reported.