In a scathing attack on the government, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday sated in the Lok Sabha that “institutions of our country are being attacked and captured by one idea” and “the judiciary, the Election Commission, Pegasus, are all instruments of destroying the voice of the union of states”. He came under attack from BJP leaders for his remarks on the judiciary and Election Commission.
Participating in the debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, Rahul Gandhi accused the Centre of having a “flawed vision” and centralising power. He said “the idea of king has come back”.
“There are two visions one is the union of states, the union of languages and the union of cultures. This is like a bouquet of flowers and no power in the world could challenge this bouquet. There is another vision of ruling by a stick by the Centre. You people have no idea of history. Because every time it has been attempted, the stick to be broken and smashed. The result of the
flawed vision of the centre is two Indias being created,” he said.
“This centralised vision of king has been removed by Congress in 1947. Now the idea of king has come back. Now there is a king, a Shahenshah, a ruler of rulers and master of masters. As a result the instrument of conversation between states and our people which we call the institutions of our country are being attacked and captured by one idea. The judiciary, the Election Commission, Pegasus, these are all instruments of destroying the voice of the union of states,” he added.
He claimed that India was facing the highest level of unemployment in 50 years under the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre. “Government speaks of providing employment. 3 crore youth lost their jobs in 2021. Today India is facing the highest unemployment in 50 years. You talk of Made-in-India, Start-Up India, but the youth did not get the employment they were supposed to. The one they had has disappeared. The government pushed 23 crore people back into poverty,” he claimed.
He also said that the government had made huge strategic mistakes in foreign policy. “China has a plan. The Chinese have a very clear vision of what they want to do. The single biggest strategic goal of India’s foreign policy has been to keep Pakistan and China separate. What you (Centre) have done is, you have brought them together.” “Do not be under any illusion, do not underestimate the force that is standing in front of you. You have brought Pakistan and China together. This is the single biggest crime that you could commit against the people of India, huge strategic mistake in Jammu and Kashmir.” stated the Congress MP.
He further alleged that the BJP government’s foreign policy has made India isolated.
“Ask yourselves why you are not able to get a guest on Republic Day. Today India is completely isolated and surrounded. We are surrounded by Sri Lanka, Nepal, Burma, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China. Everywhere we are surrounded. Our opponents understand our position,” he added.
Referring to the India-China border stand-off in Doklam, Rahul Gandhi said, “This is the single biggest crime you have committed against the people of India. China has a clear-cut plan which they have implemented in Doklam and Ladakh. This is a very serious threat to the Indian nation. We have made a huge strategic mistake in our foreign policy.”
Following Rahul Gandhi’s attack on the judiciary and Election Commission, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday demanded an apology from the Congress leader. Taking to Twitter, the Union Minister said, “Not only as India’s Law Minister but also as an ordinary citizen, I condemn what Rahul Gandhi has said about India’s judiciary and Election Commission. These are vital institutions of our democracy. Rahul Gandhi should immediately apologize to the people, judiciary and EC.”
“We know that Rahul Gandhi does not believe in democracy and he has no regard for constitutional authorities. We do not take his habitual senseless comments seriously but since he has abused constitutional authorities from the Parliament house, he must tender unconditional apology,” added Rijiju.