Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has used the occasion of Republic Day to tell people that constitutional principles are being attacked by none other than the government of the day, arguing that the smothering of democracy is part of a larger political conspiracy.

Although there was a tradition of the Opposition avoiding criticism of the government on occasions such as Independence Day and Republic Day, Narendra Modi had broken it by attacking the Manmohan Singh administration when he was Gujarat chief minister.

The Congress has clearly chosen to pay Modi back in his own coin, going so far as to accuse his government of attacking the Constitution on the date the country celebrates its adoption.

“I extend my good wishes to you on the 75th Republic Day. It is on this day 74 years back in 1950 that our Constitution came into effect, and we became a Republic breaking the chains of feudalism and colonialism,” the Congress president said on Friday in a video message to citizens.

“Justice, equality, fraternity, freedom, brotherhood, secularism and socialism are India’s foundational pillars. The Constitution ensured fundamental rights, social justice and political rights to every citizen.

“Today, these pillars are under attack from the government itself. The Founding Fathers of our Constitution would not have imagined that the Constitution would face such challenges. Today, the fundamental and basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution to every Indian are slowly being encroached upon and eroded.

“We, the people of India who gave this Constitution to ourselves included Dalits, tribals, women, farmers and labourers. Today they are facing an assault from the government, which is using emotional issues to divert attention and hide the truth from citizens.”

Kharge went on: “The truth is, poverty is increasing. This government is the only government (on whose watch) 7.5 crore people fell back into poverty. The truth is that due to inflation and falling incomes, the savings of families are the lowest in 50 years.”

Kharge added: “The truth is that unemployment is at its highest in 45 years, snatching the future of our youth. The truth is that Dalits, tribals and backward classes are being subjected to daily atrocities. The truth is that, today, all constitutional institutions are being hijacked.

“The truth is that 146 Opposition MPs have been thrown out of Parliament and important laws passed without discussion. The truth is that the media has been forced to become the government’s mouthpiece.”

Kharge appealed to the public to save the Constitution.

“The attack on the Constitution is part of a well-planned conspiracy. Today the government is run by people who did not believe in our Constitution. They did not hoist our flag for many decades. Today, they claim to be patriots,” he said.

“The year 2024 is a very important year for India. This year will decide whether we will be able to save the values of the Constitution and democracy or go back to the age where not all people were equal.”

He said justice for every section of society was an imperative.

“The Congress party has resolved to fight for the protection of the Constitution, democracy and justice. The five pillars of Nyay are: Yuva Nyay, Bhagidari Nyay, Nari Nyay, Kisan Nyay, Shram Nyay,” he said, referring to justice for the youth, women, farmers and labourers and equality of participation.

Rahul Gandhi too stressed the pluralistic culture of India and said that protecting constitutional principles would be a true tribute to India’s freedom fighters. He added that injustice would not be tolerated.