The Congress on Monday took a pledge to protect the rights of all citizens as well as democratic institutions from “dictatorial forces” as it celebrated its 136th foundation day, stressing that nationalism cannot be delinked from the freedom and welfare of the people.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi in a video message to party workers argued that the situation today was comparable to the difficult days of pre-Independence period, saying, “Citizens’ rights are being trampled. Democratic and constitutional institutions are being demolished. Unemployment rate is at its peak. Agriculture is under unprecedented attack. Charo ore tanashahi ka aalam hai (Dictatorial tendencies are visible everywhere).”
She added: “The history of Congress is of patriotism, fearlessness and commitment to unity and social harmony. We suffered British oppression and bullets. It is our responsibility to protect the country from authoritarian forces. We will have to unite to preserve the glory and dignity of the Tricolour, under which we fought to achieve our Independence. We take a vow to protect our Constitution, democracy and rights of every citizen.”
Congress leaders, who took out a Tiranga Yatra across the country on Monday besides conducting a social media campaign — selfie with Tricolor — highlighted two issues in their messages. While the emphasis was clearly on rights and equality of all citizens, irrespective of identity markers such as religion, caste, region or language, all of them tried to project the gravity of the crisis by dwelling on the Narendra Modi government’s treatment of farmers who are protesting against the three new laws. They all portrayed the government’s attitude as dictatorial.
After the ceremony to hoist the party flag on the foundation day, Congress communication chief Randeep Surjewala said: “The parent organisation (RSS) of the current rulers were sitting in the lap of the British when the Congress was fighting them. The present government behaves like Company Sarkar, much like the British East India Company behaved with Indians. Lakhs of farmers are sitting on the road for over a month to seek justice. Forty-five farmers are already dead. How can an elected government be so
insensitive?”
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also said: “We have been saying that the government should listen to the farmers. It is a sin to malign the farmers, to say that it is a political conspiracy. Our soldiers defending the borders are sons of farmers. The government should pay heed to the farmers’ demand and withdraw the three laws.” She walked away when questions about Rahul Gandhi’s absence from today’s function started raining on her.
Apart from a section of the media and BJP leaders who taunted Rahul for going abroad and skipping the party’s foundation day, many Congress leaders privately expressed dismay over his absence. But Surjewala said: “One of his family members is seriously ill and Rahulji had to go to Italy to meet him. I don’t think people of India will have any problem in him attending a family crisis. He hasn’t gone on vacation. He is not the party president and he dutifully undertakes whatever responsibility is assigned to him by the party.”
Surjewala added, “The question today is not who has gone where. The question is the miseries lakhs of farmers are facing and who is standing with them. Why has no central minister visited the farmers sitting at Delhi border in this chill? Why has the Prime Minister been so intoxicated with power? He should directly talk to the anguished farmers with an open mind and clear heart.”
