NEW DELHI: The Congress Party on Wednesday slammed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s comments suggesting that India “true independence” was achieved with the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Speaking at the inauguration of the party’s new headquarters, Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge condemned Bhagwat’s remarks, calling them “betrayal” and “insult” to the freedom movement and the Constitution.
Rahul Gandhi: ‘Bhagwat’s comments are a betrayal’
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, termed Bhagwat’s comments as treasonous and claimed that they undermined the struggle for independence and the fundamentals of the Indian Constitution. “Mohan Bhagwat has the audacity to claim that India’s independence in 1947 was invalid and the Constitution is not a symbol of our freedom. Such statements insult all Indians and our freedom fighters,” the former president said. congressional.
He also added: “What he said yesterday is treason… Because he is stating that the Constitution is invalid and the fight against the British is invalid.”
He also accused the BJP and RSS of systematically undermining democratic institutions and manipulating investigative agencies to target opposition leaders. “The BJP and the RSS have captured all the institutions, and now we are fighting not only against them but also against the Indian state itself,” Rahul said.
Kharge reacts to RSS chief’s comments
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge echoed Gandhi’s sentiments, condemning Bhagwat’s comments and warning that such divisive statements could provoke a public backlash. “It will be difficult for him to move around the country if he continues to make such statements,” Kharge said.
Kharge pointed out the lack of involvement of the RSS in the independence movement and said, “Those who did not fight for independence are now making claims about it. They do not understand the sacrifices made for India’s freedom.”
“RSS people believe that independence was established with the inauguration of the Ram Temple. It is a shame that even though we got independence in 1947, they do not recognize it because they did not fight for it, they go to jail and therefore , they don’t remember. We remember it because our people died for independence and fought for it,” he stated.
‘Indira Gandhi Bhawan’: new Congress headquarters
The new Congress headquarters at 9A, Kotla Road, called ‘Indira Gandhi Bhawan’, was inaugurated in the presence of senior party leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh and KC Venugopal.
Kharge announced that the party library would be named after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who died last month. “History has been kind to Dr Singh, as he had predicted. His tenure brought important reforms including RTI, RTE, MNREGA and the Food Security Act,” Kharge said, while crediting Sonia Gandhi for his role in the selection of Singh as chief minister.
Congress: the only opposition to the BJP and the RSS
Gandhi emphasized the role of the Congress Party as the main opposition to the BJP and the RSS. “No other party can challenge them because we have a strong ideological base. The BJP wants to rule India as a secret and centralized power, crushing dissent and constitutional values,” he said.
Kharge and Gandhi also praised the success of the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, led by LoP in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for creating awareness on issues like inflation, unemployment and caste census.
“Center for combatant forces working against the Constitution”
The inauguration of the new headquarters was described as a moment of renewal for the party. “This building symbolizes the strength of our ideology and the sacrifices of Congress workers. It will serve as a hub for fighting forces working against the Constitution and democracy,” Kharge said.