‘Every sacred tenet of Constitution being shredded’: Mallikarjun Kharge on India’s 76th Republic Day | India News
NEW DELHI: Soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the nation Republic Day on Sunday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took to X to slam Centre over ‘vicious, hateful agenda immersed in religious fundamentalism.’
“Universities and self-governing institutions are witnessing constant intrusion. A large part of the media has been converted as a propaganda tool for the ruling party. Strangulating dissent by witch-hunting Opposition leaders has become the only policy of those in power. In the past decade, a vicious, hateful agenda immersed in religious fundamentalism has sought to divide our society. Minorities are being targeted, and those who are secular are being tarnished by the paint of Goebbelsian propaganda. The weaker sections – SCs, STs, OBCs, poor and minorities are being treated as second-class citizens,” he said in a message.
Kharge also said that the government has undermined institutions, interfered with autonomous bodies, and disregarded federalism.
“As we celebrate this momentous occasion, it is also a time to reflect upon how the country is witnessing constant attacks on our Constitution. The ruling party has unleashed a continuous degradation of our institutions, built carefully over decades. Political interference in autonomous institutions has become a norm. Exercising control over their independence is being seen as a virtue of power. Federalism is being trampled on a daily basis and the rights of Opposition governed states are being curtailed. The functioning of Parliament has seen tremendous backsliding due to the tyrannical tendency of the ruling government,” Kharge added.
He also highlighted the ongoing crisis in Manipur, saying it has been “burning for 21 months,” but there is no accountability at the topmost echelons of power.
Kharge called for the protection of the Constitution’s core values — justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
“Every sacred tenet of the Constitution is being shredded into pieces by an authoritarian regime. It is high time we preserve and protect the ideas and ideals of our Constitution. Be ready to make every sacrifice to protect the Constitution. This will be the true tribute to our ancestors,” he said.
Kharge also expressed gratitude to the armed forces, paramilitary forces, and security establishment for their sacrifices in protecting the nation’s sovereignty. And he honoured the Constitution’s architects, including Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad, Sarojini Naidu, and others who shaped India’s republic.
The Congress leader recognised the contributions of daily wage workers, labourers, gig workers, artists, writers, and sportspersons in nation-building and maintaining India’s cultural heritage.
Earlier, PM Modi extended wishes on the 76th Republic Day and said, “Happy Republic Day. Today, we celebrate 75 glorious years of being a Republic. We bow to all the great women and men who made our Constitution and ensured that our journey is rooted in democracy, dignity and unity. May this occasion strengthen our efforts towards preserving the ideals of our Constitution and working towards a stronger and prosperous India.”