Constitution under constant attack from BJP-RSS, says Rahul, warns of economic crisis

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that the Constitution is being attacked every day by the BJP-RSS combine, as he called it a document that represents the voices of Dr B R Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi that must be protected.

He was addressing a 'Bahujan Swabhiman Sabha' in Raebareli, his parliamentary constituency, in memory of revolutionary Veera Pasi who hailed from the district.

''While listening to other speakers, I felt that we remember Veera Pasi and Dr Ambedkar, but the ideology they stood for is not being protected properly because, in front of our eyes, an attack is being made on the Constitution,'' Gandhi said.

The Congress leader accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ''attacking the Constitution 24 hours a day'' by weakening MNREGA, not conducting caste census, and favouring select industrialists.

Gandhi alleged that the interests of big industrialists such as Ambani and Adani were being prioritised at the cost of the country.

He also referred to Modi's recent appeal to cut down on fuel consumption, gold purchase, and foreign travel to warn of a steep hike in essential items' prices.

''In the coming months, inflation will rise sharply. Prices of petrol, diesel, gas, food grains, everything will increase,'' he said.

He criticised Modi for flying off on a five-nation tour right after his appeal to the people to refrain from going abroad.

He said remembering Ambedkar, Veera Pasi, and Mahatma Gandhi was meaningful only if their ideology was protected.

''Just folding hands before their statues is not enough. If you go out and act against their ideology, it has no meaning,'' he said.

Gandhi said India's ideals of equality and justice must be defended collectively.

''The Veera Pasis, Ambedkars and Gandhis of the 21st century will come from among you. They will not come from the sky,'' he said.

Criticising Modi further, Gandhi said he took away ''all the money from people's pockets and homes.''.

He alleged that the provisions of a public sector, reservation, and an independent judiciary enshrined in the Constitution have been ''dismantled by Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and the RSS'' and the idea of a free and independent media has been ''finished'' by these forces.

Gandhi accused the Union government of shutting down MGNREGA, privatising the public sector, and appointing RSS-linked vice-chancellors, who, he alleged, had little knowledge of science, history, or geography, but were chosen because of their ideological affiliation.

The Congress leader said that the Constitution, which guarantees one person-one vote, is being undermined through special intensive revision of electoral rolls, and deletion of ''crores of votes.''.

''Those who do not vote for them are being removed from voter lists … The Constitution is under attack 24 hours,'' he said.

But the truth is now emerging and ''no one will be spared,'' he added.

Gandhi said that the war between Iran and the United States will lead to a major economic shock due to disruption in global oil supply.

''This will lead to a sharp rise in inflation in the coming months. You may have never seen such inflation in your lifetime,'' he said.

He said that fertiliser shortages could hit farmers and that kerosene supply could be disrupted.

Gandhi alleged that the economic impact would not affect industrialists such as Ambani and Adani, but would hit ordinary citizens.

Earlier in his address, the Congress leader said the Constitution is not an ordinary document, but one that carried the ideology of Ambedkar, Veera Pasi and Mahatma Gandhi, along with the contributions of several reformers such as Narayana Guru in Kerala and Basavanna in Karnataka.

He also referred to Buddha, Guru Nanak, and Kabir, saying their voices were reflected in the Constitution.

Gandhi alleged that while people bow before statues and organise large programmes, they remain silent when attacks are made on the Constitution and the ideology it represents.

''Those who bow before Ambedkar's statue forget his ideology. They do not protect it. The ideology must be defended when it is under attack,'' he said.

As some members of the audience applauded, Gandhi said, ''You are clapping now, but when the Constitution is torn apart, you remain silent.''.

He added, ''It says India belongs to everyone, not to any caste, individual, billionaire or organisation.''

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)