Center vs Judiciary: The Congress on Friday alleged that there was an “undeclared emergency” in the country and an attempt was being made to make the “judiciary a part of the Prime Minister’s Office”. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Bharat Jodo Yatra is aimed at exposing such “dangers” before the country.
His critical remarks come amid an ongoing tussle between the Center and the judiciary over the appointment of judges. On several occasions Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said: “Every citizen questions the government and questions should be asked. If the public will not question the elected government, then to whom will they question… We don’t.” Move away from the questions, we face them as we are the elected representatives.”
Ramesh again targets RSS and BJP for spreading social polarization
Addressing a press conference, Ramesh said the yatra was aimed at highlighting the growing economic disparity, social polarization allegedly aimed at the RSS and BJP for electoral gains and the “political dictatorship” prevailing in the country.
“There is an undeclared emergency in the country. One man’s rule, Parliament is being ignored, there is no debate in Parliament. One example is the threat on our borders, two-and-a-half years have passed but it has not been discussed,” Ramesh said, referring to the border standoff between India and China.
The constitution is being ignored, constitutional bodies are being weakened and efforts are being made to destroy the judiciary. Every day comments are being made, efforts are being made to make the judiciary a part of the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office).
His remarks come in the backdrop of a raging debate on the issue of appointments to the higher judiciary with the government questioning the present collegium system and the Supreme Court defending it.
‘Election strategy has nothing to do with Yatra’
At the press conference, Ramesh said, “So the question is why is Congress out to unite India when no one is breaking the country, we are saying it is getting divided, there are threats and if we don’t act If we do, the dangers will increase. That’s why we are raising our voice against economic inequalities, social polarization and political dictatorship. We are ideologically fighting BJP and RSS. Election strategy has nothing to do with Yatra.”
“There are two ways – one is the way of the RSS-BJP and according to their way they are using the cannon of ‘one man, one system’ and the other way is the way of harmony, the way of the Congress, the way of Mahatma Gandhi. The way, the way of Rahul Gandhi, where the clarinet of democracy is being played… these are the two ways that are in front of our country.
Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on 7th September. It will culminate with Gandhi unfurling the national flag at the party headquarters in Srinagar and addressing a grand rally at the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium on 30 January. ,
(With inputs from PTI)