NEW DELHI, Jan 26: In a sharp critique of the BJP-led government, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge charged on Sunday that a divisive agenda rooted in religious fundamentalism has aimed to fragment society over the past decade, while every essential principle of the Constitution is being “shredded into pieces by an authoritarian regime”.
He asserted that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engages in pseudo-nationalism, compelling underprivileged youth to uphold the flag of “nationalism” and “religious supremacy,” yet fails to provide them with job opportunities.
In his address to the nation on the 76th Republic Day, Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized the urgent need for citizens to safeguard the principles of the Constitution — justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
“We hold dear the values championed by our founders. Be prepared to make any sacrifice needed to protect the Constitution. This will serve as a genuine homage to our forebears,” Mr. Kharge stated.
He highlighted the critical moment for reflection regarding the ongoing assaults on the Constitution.
According to the Congress leader, the ruling party has instigated a systematic erosion of India’s institutions, painstakingly established over decades.
“Political meddling in autonomous institutions has become commonplace. Controlling their independence is now regarded as a display of power. Daily, federalism is under siege, and the rights of states governed by the Opposition are being restricted,” he further claimed.
“The functioning of Parliament has seen significant decline due to the tyrannical traits of the ruling government,” Mr. Kharge declared.
The Congress leader also posited that universities and self-governing institutions are experiencing constant intrusion.
He mentioned that a significant portion of the media has been transformed into a propaganda tool for the ruling party.
“Suppressing dissent through targeted attacks on Opposition leaders has become the primary modus operandi of those in authority. In the last decade, a malicious, divisive agenda steeped in religious fundamentalism has attempted to fracture our society,” Mr. Kharge stated.
He further alleged that minorities are being targeted and those who advocate for secularism are being subjected to “Goebbelsian propaganda”.
The marginalized groups — Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBC), the financially disadvantaged, and minorities — are being treated as second-class citizens, he noted.
“Atrocities and unprecedented violence against these groups have become routine. Manipur has been ablaze for 21 months, yet there is no accountability from those at the highest levels of power,” Mr. Kharge said.
He also expressed concern over the alarming increase in economic disparity.
“Crony capitalists are being granted control over the country’s valuable resources. Any scandal that emerges is quickly suppressed by branding whistleblowers as ‘anti-national’,” he added.
“The ruling party promotes pseudo-nationalism by urging our disadvantaged youth to wield the banner of ‘nationalism’ and ‘religious supremacy’ while doing nothing to secure their employment,” Mr. Kharge explained.
He highlighted that the nation is currently facing an economic crisis, stating that taxes have drained the hard-earned income of the poorer and middle classes.
“The living standards of our population have barely improved due to flawed economic policies that have devastated their savings. Those few elites who can afford a brighter future are abandoning their Indian citizenship,” Mr. Kharge remarked.
When the failures of the Union government are highlighted, the response often involves deflection or diversionary tactics, frequently revisiting past events but neglecting current issues, the Congress president pointed out.
“There is a prevailing inclination to impose ‘One Nation, One Party’ on 140 crore diverse individuals who believe in ‘Unity in Diversity’,” he stated.
“Every essential tenet of the Constitution is being dismantled by an authoritarian regime. Thus, my dear fellow citizens, it is imperative that we uphold and safeguard the ideas and ideals of our Constitution — justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity,” Mr. Kharge stated.
“We stand firm on the principles advocated by our founders. Prepare to make every sacrifice necessary to defend the Constitution. This will be the sincerest way to honor our ancestors. Once again, I wish you a joyous Republic Day. Jai Bapu, Jai Bheem, Jai Samvidhaan,” he expressed in his message to the nation.
“This year marks 75 years since we adopted the conscience keeper and soul of the Indian Republic – the Constitution of India. We pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Babasaheb Dr. B R Ambedkar, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad, Sarojini Naidu, and countless others who dedicated themselves to the establishment of our great republic,” Mr. Kharge remarked.
“We honor every member of the Constituent Assembly whose wisdom and ingenuity birthed a remarkable document that embodies the aspirations of our diverse population,” he added.
Mr. Kharge also paid tribute to every soldier in the armed forces, paramilitary units, and the security services who have made extraordinary sacrifices to uphold the nation’s integrity and sovereignty.
“We are also grateful to our scientists and educators whose unmatched contributions to nation-building have transformed our country into a knowledge and technical powerhouse today,” he acknowledged.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to our Annadata — the diligent farmers who have placed food on our tables. Our thanks extend to crores of daily wage workers, laborers, shramiks, gig workers, for they are the individuals constructing India — brick by brick,” the Congress chief concluded.
Mr. Kharge also paid respects to the artists, writers, and sports figures who have played a significant role in preserving and enriching the cultural diversity of India. (Agencies)
