'Mother of Democracy' to 'Muzzled Democracy': Kharge Slams Centre
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accuses the Modi government of muzzling democracy following mass detentions during the CJP protest in Delhi.
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a blistering attack on the central government on Saturday, accusing the administration of transforming India from the "Mother of Democracy" into a "Muzzled Democracy." The scathing criticism follows a massive security crackdown in the national capital ahead of high-stakes demonstrations organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
The capital has been transformed into a high-security fortress as the CJP launched its 'Jantar Mantar 2.0' protest today, October 10. The protesters are demanding the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Systematic Detentions of Dissenters
In a strongly worded post on X, Kharge condemned the heavy-handed response of the state against citizens attempting to exercise their democratic rights. He alleged that the government is systematically targeting anyone who dares to question the current regime.
"Our youth, students, lawyers, journalists, social activists, farm union leaders, YouTubers, content creators, everyone who is questioning this regime are being detained," Kharge stated. He further added, "The cowardice of the BJP-RSS is on full display today!"
The Congress leader emphasized that such tactics would fail to break the spirit of the people. He noted that detentions, arrests, and the use of force like lathis and pellets cannot deter the Indian public, drawing parallels to the nation's freedom struggle where the youth played a pivotal role in shaping India's destiny.
Chaos at Delhi Airport and Mass Detentions
The crackdown was felt even before protesters reached the demonstration site. CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke, who was traveling from Mumbai to Delhi specifically to participate in the protest, shared a video on Instagram claiming that police began detaining him and his associates immediately upon deboarding their flight at the Delhi Airport.
The CJP also claimed that prominent content creator Dhruv Rathee had been detained, asserting that the current leadership is "terrified" of young voices that refuse to remain silent regarding perceived wrongdoings.
Delhi Turned Into a 'Fortress'
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh joined the fray, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of turning the national capital into a fortified zone to crush peaceful demonstrations. Ramesh suggested that the central leadership is "extremely nervous and rattled" by the youth-led movement organized by the CJP.
The protest centers on allegations of voter disenfranchisement, with the CJP seeking accountability from the Election Commission. Meanwhile, Delhi Police have continued to detain activists, citing a lack of official permission for the gathering at Jantar Mantar.
The Opposition's Vow to Fight
Kharge concluded his statement by vowing that the Congress Party, alongside a united Opposition, would fight the "tyrannical regime" with everything they have. He reminded the nation that the Congress fought and shed blood to win India's freedom and will continue to defend the Constitution and the fundamental rights of every Indian.