October 18, 2020 9:07:30 pm
Congress President Sonia Gandhi (Archive)
Accusing the government of “demolishing” the economy, pushing the country into an “abyss” due to the mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic and failing to “honor” the Constitution, Acting President of Congress Sonia Gandhi said Sunday that Indian democracy was passing its “most difficult phase”.
Chairing a meeting of AICC secretaries general and states in charge for the first time after a major organizational shakeup last month, Gandhi also attacked the Center for “anti-agriculture” farm laws and atrocities against Dalits.
Gandhi claimed that there was a “designed attack” on the Constitution and democratic traditions and that the country’s democracy was going through its “most difficult phase.”
Citing the controversial agricultural laws, Gandhi said the country was being run by a government that was “systematically handing over the rights of citizens to a handful of crony capitalists.”
A “conspiracy” has been hatched to defeat the achievements of the “green revolution,” he claimed. “The lives and livelihoods of millions of agricultural workers, tenant farmers, small and marginal farmers, laborers and small merchants are under attack. It is our solemn duty to join hands to defeat this sinister conspiracy, ”he said.
All three agricultural bills were passed: the 2020 Agricultural Products Trade and Trade (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, the 2020 Farmers’ Agricultural Prices and Services (Empowerment and Protection) Guarantee Agreement, and the 2020 Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020. 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 would harm farmers’ interests and benefit businesses, a claim denied by the government. The Center has claimed that these new laws would be beneficial to farmers and increase their income.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Gandhi took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Center’s handling of the coronavirus crisis in the country. “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,” he said.
“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 misery. There is no plan or strategic thinking, solution or path to follow in the fight against the pandemic, “he added.
Speaking in the drop in GDP growthGandhi claimed that the government had 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 do not have work. Almost 14 million million jobs have been lost. Small and medium-sized businesses, small merchants and other small businesses are closing 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 fulfill its constitutional responsibilities, saying that the GST part of the compensation was being denied to the states. In a sharp retraction from its previous position, the Finance Ministry said last week that Center would borrow from the market to pay the GST compensation deficit of Rs 1.1 lakh crore to the states.
“How will 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.
In an apparent reference to the death of a 19-year-old Dalit girl, who was allegedly abducted by four upper caste men in UP’s Hathras, Gandhi said atrocities against Dalits had reached a “new zenith.”
Instead of upholding the law and granting adequate protection to the daughters of India, the BJP governments are on the side of criminals. State agencies are stifling the voice of oppressed families. Is this the new “Raj Dharma”? she 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’s join hands to defeat the anti-democratic and autocratic designs of the ruling BJP, ”he said.
“The persistent and determined struggle for the cause of the people is the heart and soul of the Indian National Congress. Even today, the dedicated service of fellow citizens and the determined fight against injustice, inequality and discrimination in all spheres is the guiding light for all congressmen and congressmen, ”Gandhi said.
(With PTI inputs)
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