New Delhi [India], June 25 : Claiming India has been going through an "undeclared emergency" for the past 11 years, Congress leader Manickam Tagore on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on the Bharatiya Janta Party, accusing it of trying to destroy Dr BR Ambedkar's legacy by attacking the Constitution.
"The Constitution is under attack. In 2024, Modi asked for a Char Sau Paar mandate to change the Constitution. He wanted to destroy Ambedkar's legacy - and the people rejected him. But the BJP continues to undermine democracy by stealth," Tagore wrote in a post on X.
https://x.com/manickamtagore/status/1937723693029077057
Criticising the functioning of the parliament, he highlighted the suspension of 146 MPs in 2023, a record number of suspensions which occurred during the Parliament winter session, claiming that the "temple of democracy" has become a "dictatorship theatre."
"Parliament has been reduced to a farce; 146 MPs suspended in one session - a world record; Laws passed in 5 minutes; Zero accountability; Budget presented without debate; India's temple of democracy has become a dictatorship's theatre," the post claimed.
These remarks come as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) observes the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, as the 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas'. The Congress leader recalled the various incidents he claims to be attacks on democracy and sabotage of various institutions.
"11 years and 30 days of Modi's rule. We're not in a democracy anymore - we're in an Undeclared Emergency. A 5-front war has been waged against India's soul. This isn't governance. It's systemic sabotage," his post alleged.
The party leader also decried the attack on the judiciary, saying that judges are being punished for independence while others who tow the line are rewarded. Similarly, on the alleged capture of institutions, the party leader blamed the Election Commission for helping the BJP, and Governors being used to sabotage opposition ruled states.
"This is not about Modi vs Congress. This is about Democracy vs Dictatorship. This is about Ambedkar vs Sangh. This is about India vs Emergency. We will resist. We will fight. We will reclaim the Constitution," his post read.
Earlier in the day, Jairam Ramesh, the party's general Secretary (Communications) also criticised the BJP for attacking democracy in the last 11 years, highlighting the deteriorating centre and state relations, attack on Parliamentary norms, capture of institutions and more.
India was placed under a state of Emergency from June 25, 1975, to March 21 1977, following the implementation of Article 352 of the constitution. On 25 June 1975, then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed issued the Emergency Proclamation under Article 352, citing threats from internal disturbance. The Emergency was declared against a backdrop of mounting political unrest and judicial developments that shook the legitimacy of the ruling leadership.