Sonia Gandhi: Social harmony bonds are purposefully strained in order to keep voters polarised for electoral reasons.
Sonia Gandhi, Congress president, made a sharp attack on Modi’s government Wednesday. She claimed that power has been concentrated on a few politicians and business people over the past eight years, which is undermining India’s democracy and institutions.
She also claimed that Constitutional values and principles are being attacked, with the bonds between social harmony being intentionally stretched to breaking point to keep voters polarised in order to secure electoral gains.
The Congress chief stated in an opinion piece published in the Hindustan Times that, all too often, independent authorities are reduced to “tools for the executive”, ready and willing to perform its bidding in a partisan, heavy-handed manner.
The result is that election results are being undercut by money power sustained through electoral bonds cronyism. Any criticism of the state’s current attitude is met with retaliation.
Gandhi’s article is part of the Congress’ ambitious Kanyakumari-Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra, which aims to combat the alleged division in the country as well as rejuvenate the party organization.
Rahul Gandhi and other top leaders of the party started the Yatra last week from Kanyakumari. It then traversed through Tamil Nadu before passing through Kerala.
Sonia Gandhi, in an opinion piece, attacked the Modi government with a sharp attack. She stated that the hard-fought public enterprises, which are owned in common by all citizens are being sold to a few private bidders.
She stated that the United Progressive Alliance understood that it was crucial to ensure that all citizens have access to resources and opportunities in times of high growth and increasing inequality.
Gandhi stated that the UPA government had invested in education and health. Initiatives such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the Food Security Act and Accredited Health Activists(ASHAS), as well as Right to Information Acts and Aadhaar, increased welfare effectiveness and lifted tens to millions from poverty.
These measures were ridiculed by elites and the Opposition parties, but they were a lifeline in times of economic distress and during the pandemic, she said.
Gandhi stated that this nurturing structure, which has sustained India for many years, is currently under attack. In fact, inequality in India independent of India has never been greater.
Gandhi claimed that power has been concentrated on a few politicians and business people over the past eight years, which has led to the destruction of our democracy and institutions.
She claimed that “the independence of our institutions has been eroded” and that their role as balancers between the competing demands of many social groups was being deliberately undermined.
Gandhi stated that authoritarian tendencies are becoming more apparent, with erosion of fundamental rights being accompanied by a narrow imposition on conformity and obedience by dutiful citizens.
People from weaker sections, minorities and women are constantly being attacked. A significant portion of the media supports this. Parliament is unable to function, which causes discontent to spill onto the streets.
“This dangerous cocktail would only weaken India’s national fabric and provide opportunities for its external and internal enemies
Gandhi stated that democracy must triumph over oligarchy if it is to be a true democracy. People must unite and resist these “powerful” forces.
The Lok Sabha MP noted that women have made great progress over the past 75 years but still have a lot of work ahead.
She pointed out that male violence is still a major concern, and many teenage girls feel forced to leave school.
“Girls are taught to silence their voices, to depend on men for protection and to be secondary,” Gandhi stated that the government’s patriarchal views and view of women only in traditional gender roles such as sister, daughter, and wife make a worse situation.
She stated that these problems require a renewed commitment to the hopes that this nation was founded with. India must deal with increasing economic inequalities, restore the spirit of harmony and social harmony, and expand opportunities and freedom for all over the next 25 years.
She stated that this means focusing on the real economy, increasing employment in core government activities like education and health, and creating opportunities for the excluded.
Gandhi suggested that this could include a basic income instead of inefficient subsidies, reining growth monopolies, and supporting job-creating companies.
“In an environment of increasing climate stress and pollution, it is essential to protect our forests and commons and address soil and water degradation. She said that India needs democratic environmentalism in order to ensure its growth, which will create mass prosperity and not sacrifice the well-being of those who follow us.”
“We must achieve the future we want,” Gandhi stated that Patriotism is a belief in the shared humanity of all people and must be embraced by all.
She pointed out that the Indian Republic’s founders set it on the road to democracy and liberalization despite all odds, 75 years ago.
She pointed out that national integration was achieved while maintaining our diverse cultures and identities. It was also understood that diversity is our strength.
Gandhi said, “Regardless of our differences, there is an equal claim for every citizen of India
