NEW DELHI: President of Congress Sonia Gandhi On Sunday he launched a scathing attack on the government over the three farm laws, the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic slowdown and the alleged atrocities against the Dalits, while claiming that the Indians democracy it is going through its “most difficult phase”.
A “conspiracy” has been hatched to defeat the achievements of the “green revolution,” he claimed, criticizing the government for the three “black laws against agriculture.”
Addressing a meeting of AICC secretaries general and heads of state that she chaired, Gandhi also claimed that the country was being run by a government that was “systematically” handing over citizens’ rights to a handful of crony capitalists.
This was the first meeting of general secretaries and state officials that Sonia Gandhi chaired after a major organizational shakeup last month.
Attacking the government for recently passed farm laws, he said the BJP-led administration has attacked the very foundations of India’s resilient agrarian economy by introducing “three black laws against agriculture.”
“A conspiracy has been hatched to defeat the achievements of the ‘green revolution’. The lives and livelihoods of millions of agricultural workers, tenant farmers, small and marginal farmers, laborers and small businesses are under attack. It is our duty. It is solemn to join hands to defeat this sinister conspiracy, “Gandhi said.
The three agricultural bills: the Agricultural Products Trade and Trade (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill 2020, the Farmers Agricultural Prices and Services Guarantee Agreement (Empowerment and Protection) 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) 2020. were approved by Parliament recently. Subsequently, President Ram Nath Kovind approved the bills.
Congress, many other opposition parties, and various farmers ‘organizations have been protesting these laws, claiming that they will harm farmers’ interests and benefit businesses, a claim denied by the government. The Center has stated that these new laws will benefit farmers and increase their income.
Claiming that the country’s democracy is going through its “most difficult phase”, Gandhi claimed that there is a “designed attack” on the Constitution and democratic traditions.
The country was pushed into the “abyss” of the coronavirus pandemic by the “sheer ineptitude” and “mismanagement” of the Modi government, Gandhi alleged in his opening remarks at the meeting.
“All of this happened when we witnessed the largest unplanned and cruel migration of millions of migrant workers while the government remained a silent spectator of their miseries.
“The stark truth is that a prime minister who promised to defeat the crown in 21 days has abdicated his responsibility and that of his government towards the citizens,” Gandhi said.
There is no plan or strategic thinking, solution or way forward in the fight against the pandemic, he claimed in his Hindi speech.
Gandhi claimed that the government has simultaneously “demolished” the economy, painstakingly built by the hard work of his Indian compatriots and the vision of successive congressional governments.
“Never has the country witnessed such a free fall in GDP as all other economic indices. Today, young people are out of work. Almost 14 million jobs have been lost. Small and medium-sized enterprises, small merchants and other small businesses are closing in at an unprecedented rate, but an indifferent government remains a silent bystander, “said the president of Congress.
He also accused the government of failing to even fulfill its constitutional responsibilities, saying that states are denied the GST portion of compensation.
“How will the state governments help our people, if the government of India breaches its constitutional obligations? This must be a first example of economic anarchy that the central government is spreading,” Gandhi said.
Claiming that the atrocities committed against the Dalits have reached a “new zenith”, he said that instead of honoring the law and granting adequate protection to the daughters of India, the BJP governments are on the side of the criminals.
“The voice of oppressed families is being suppressed by state agencies. Is this the new ‘Raj Dharma’?” Gandhi asked.
He called on the secretaries general and state officials to take up these challenges and support the people, saying this is what defines the organization of Congress.
“I am sure that all of you will work hard and stand up to the forces attacking India and its people. Let us join hands to defeat the anti-democratic and autocratic designs of the ruling BJP,” she said.
“The persistent and determined fight for the cause of the people is the heart and soul of the National Congress of India. Even today, dedicated service to fellow citizens and determined fight against injustice, inequality and discrimination in all the spheres is the guiding light for all congressmen and women, “Gandhi said.
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