Rahul Gandhi's Bold Claims: Is the BJP Threatening India's Constitutional Values?
Gandhi's Concerns Over Constitutional Integrity
New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi, a prominent figure in the Congress party, has accused the BJP of attempting to undermine the Constitution, which ensures equal rights for all citizens. He pledged to establish a robust opposition movement aimed at displacing the ruling party from power.
During a recent address at the Hertie School in Berlin, he claimed that the BJP is orchestrating a comprehensive attack on India's institutional framework to consolidate its political dominance, a battle that the opposition is determined to fight.
In a video released by Congress, Gandhi emphasized that India's diverse democracy is a significant asset on the global stage, and any assault on it poses a threat to democratic values worldwide.
He stated, "The BJP's agenda essentially seeks to dismantle the Constitution, erasing the principles of equality among states, languages, and religions, and undermining the core belief that every individual holds equal value."
In the video titled 'Politics is the Art of Listening,' Gandhi stressed the need for the opposition to devise strategies to counter attacks on democracy rather than merely highlighting electoral issues.
"We will address this challenge and develop a system of opposition resistance that will prevail. Our struggle is not just against the BJP; it is against their takeover of India's institutional framework," he asserted.
Responding to student inquiries, Gandhi pointed out the weaponization of institutions, claiming, "We fundamentally believe there are issues with India's electoral machinery and a complete takeover of our institutional framework is underway."
He remarked on the current environment in India, where institutions are failing to fulfill their intended roles.
Gandhi noted that while Europe faced challenges in forming the European Union, India successfully established an economic and political union in 1947, grounded in the Constitution.
"Any discussion about democracy globally must include the largest and most intricate democracy, which is why I assert that Indian democracy is a global public good, not merely an asset for India," he explained.
He further criticized the BJP, claiming that Congress had convincingly demonstrated its victory in the Haryana elections and expressed doubts about the fairness of the Maharashtra elections.
Gandhi also targeted enforcement agencies like the CBI and ED, stating that while Congress contributed to building these institutions, it never regarded them as its own but as national assets.
"The BJP, however, perceives these institutions as their property and exploits them for political gain," he alleged.
He accused the ED and CBI of being weaponized, noting that many cases against opposition figures appear politically motivated.
Additionally, he critiqued Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic policies, suggesting that they merely extend the economic models initiated by Manmohan Singh, stating, "What Mr. Modi is attempting economically is stalled and cannot progress further."
Regarding the INDIA alliance, he mentioned, "While not all parties share the RSS's core ideology, we are united on this front. Tactical disagreements exist, but we consistently demonstrate unity in Parliament when opposing the BJP on contentious laws."
Gandhi's recent visit to Germany included these discussions.