Priyanka Tiwari
Share
Suspense crime, Digital Desk : On the 49th anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, the Congress party has launched a blistering attack on the Narendra Modi-led government, accusing it of imposing an "undeclared emergency" on the nation over the last decade.
In a strongly-worded statement, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the ruling BJP has systematically undermined the country's democratic foundations. He outlined what he described as a "five-fold assault" on democracy, targeting key institutions and principles of the Indian constitution.
According to the Congress party, these five assaults are:
- Crushing Dissent: A systematic effort to dismantle dissent and crush any form of opposition, weakening the voice of political rivals.
- Weakening Institutions: The deliberate weakening of democratic pillars, including the Parliament, the Election Commission, and other constitutional bodies, making them less independent.
- Weaponizing Central Agencies: The misuse of central investigative agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to target and harass political opponents.
- Toppling Elected Governments: Using "money power" and engineering defections to overthrow legitimately elected state governments run by opposition parties.
- Controlling the Media: Stifling media freedom and controlling the narrative through a compliant media, which the opposition often refers to as "Godi media."
This sharp criticism carries a particular political weight as it comes on the anniversary of the Emergency declared in 1975 by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, a Congress leader. The BJP has historically used the 1975 Emergency as a key point of attack against the Congress, framing it as a dark chapter for Indian democracy.
By using the term "undeclared emergency," the Congress is now attempting to flip the script, arguing that while the current situation may not have a formal declaration, the impact on democratic freedoms and institutions is just as severe. The move highlights the deep and ongoing political rivalry between India's two largest national parties.
Read More: India and Russia Reaffirm Ties as Leaders Share Car Ride After Airport Greeting
