On the occasion of Constitution Day, a major political storm erupted as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing them of hypocrisy in their displays of respect for the Indian Constitution.
Historical Allegations and Accusations of Hypocrisy
Kharge dug into history, making a serious allegation against the RSS. He claimed that in 1949, the RSS had opposed the newly adopted Constitution by publicly burning an effigy of its chief architect, Dr. B R Ambedkar, during a rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan. Against this backdrop, he labeled the current actions of PM Modi and the RSS—offering floral tributes to Ambedkar and reading the Preamble—as the "biggest victory for the founding fathers of the republic", implying their success had forced a ideological U-turn from their opponents.
He further intensified his criticism by targeting the Prime Minister directly. "Today Modi lectures us on colonisation, but they belong to an ideology that boycotted the freedom struggle and sided with the British," Kharge stated. He asserted that the public is aware that the BJP and RSS are destroying the Constitution, and their current show of respect is nothing but a "sham".
Nationwide Protests to 'Save the Constitution'
While participating in the official Constitution Day celebrations, the Congress party simultaneously organized a nationwide protest dubbed "Samvidhan Bachao Divas" (Save the Constitution Day). The party stated that this protest was held in all districts across the country to highlight what it called a "growing attack on the Constitution".
The party's protest aimed to spotlight several concerns, including allegations of systematic vote theft, abuse of institutions, and dubious attempts to distort the electoral rolls. This parallel action underscored the deep political divisions surrounding the celebration of the foundational document of India's democracy.
Leaders Voice Concerns Over Constitutional Values
Congress President Kharge expressed grave concerns about the current state of the nation's identity. He emphasized that secularism, harmony, and equality became India's identity because of the Constitution, but warned that "that identity is now under a serious threat".
He called for urgent action, stating, "Today, there is an urgent need to safeguard the fundamental principles of the Constitution - justice, equality, liberty, fraternity, secularism and socialism."
Echoing this sentiment, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, described the Constitution as a "sacred promise of equality and justice to every citizen", regardless of religion, caste, region, language, or social status. He made a firm pledge, declaring, "Let us pledge that we will not allow any attack on the Constitution. It is my duty to protect the Constitution, and I will be the first to oppose any assault on it."
