NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday invoked India’s freedom struggle and the legacy of its first generation of leaders, remembering Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru while highlighting the Congress’s contribution to the country’s nation-building journey.Remembering Nehru’s contribution to building modern India, Kharge on Independence Day said the former prime minister had laid the foundations of a democratic and secular nation and established institutions including IITs, IIMs and public sector undertakings.“Nehru ji laid the foundation of a modern, democratic and secular India. He established IITs, IIMs, PSUs. Nehru ji did a lot for the country, but he did not possess arrogance,” the Congress chief said.The Congress party head also recalled Mahtama Gandhi’s “Do or Die” call during the Quit India Movement, highlighting the role played by young Indians when senior leaders were jailed by the British.He said, “When Mahatma Gandhi gave the slogan ‘Do or Die’ and all the senior leaders were in jail, it was the youth of the country who carried forward the ‘Quit India Movement’.”Kharge said the freedom struggle had envisioned more than independence from colonial rule, arguing that India’s freedom fighters had also dreamed of eliminating poverty, unemployment, untouchability, injustice and fear.“Our freedom fighters had not only dreamed of liberation from British rule, but also from poverty, unemployment, untouchability, injustice, and fear. Independence was not just a change of power, but a resolve to make every Indian’s life better. Every Prime Minister from the Congress has advanced this very vision,” veteran Congress leader added.
‘Someone speaking from Red Fort claims they have done everything’
Kharge also invoked the contributions of former prime ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi, crediting them with strengthening India’s agricultural, military and strategic capabilities.“Shastri ji strengthened the foundations of white and green revolution in the country. Indira ji strengthened India’s military and strategic capabilities, and also played a major role in creation of Bangladesh. We also integrated Sikkim with India. All these were done by Congress party leaders, but someone speaking from Red Fort claims that they have done everything. It’s a mercy they don’t claim that whatever remains of the world has survived because of them,” he said.Taking aim at what he described as the BJP-led government’s tendency to claim credit for past achievements, Kharge asserted that Congress had played the dominant role in India’s development.“The development you see in the country today is because of Congress. Congress has 90% contribution in development you witnessed in the country today. We improved people’s financial condition, not change names. But, these people just take credit. This will not go on for long,” Congress president said.
Kharge backs protesting youth, attacks BJP-RSS
Kharge also trained his guns on the government’s handling of youth grievances, saying young people were being denied opportunities and their protests were being met with hostility.
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Rajya Sabha MP said, “Today, the dreams of the youth are being trampled. The country’s youth are agitating, and we along with our leader of the opposition — are supporting them. The Constitution grants everyone the right to protest for their cause; they are not anti-nationals. Hate campaigns are launched against those who protest.”He added, “Our leader of the opposition declared years ago that we would not spread hate but instead spread a message of love. However, the BJP and RSS oppose this. They worked against the country even before independence and continue to do so today by dividing Hindus and Muslims. The current government is crushing the poor. We will continue to fight against the government.”Kharge’s remarks came on 80th Independence Day, which he celebrated alongside Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.