NEW DELHI: NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a debate on the Constitution, cautioning against uncritical devotion to a political leader. He warned that such devotion could lead to dictatorship.
“Devotion in religion may lead to the salvation of the soul, but in politics, it is a guaranteed path to degradation and eventual dictatorship. You all, by beating the drum of this devotion, are pushing him towards dictatorship. And if he (PM Modi) is ready to become a dictator, I urge you that democracy should not function under the shadow of dictatorship. All those who believe in the Constitution must adhere to it and follow its principles,” Kharge said while addressing the House.
(Aap log jo yeh dhol bajaa baja ke jo unke bhakti kar he hai, yeh logg unhe dictatorship ki taraf le jaana chahte hai. Aur woh (PM Modi) dictator banne ko taiyaar hai toh isiliye mai aapse vinati karunga ki yeh democracy dictatorship k tehat nhi chalna chahiye. Aur jo sab logg samvidhan ko maante hai unn sab ko usi par chalna chahiye.)
He accused the BJP of undermining the Constitution and alleged that the ruling party’s actions were aimed at dismantling the reservation system. “You (BJP) have not respected Ambedkar since the beginning,” he said, highlighting historical records from Constituent Assembly debates, which, according to him, indicate erstwhile RSS leaders were against the Constitution.
Kharge also criticised the BJP for opposing the caste census and disrespecting the contributions of Dr BR Ambedkar, who played a pivotal role in drafting the Constitution.
‘The PM is misleading the nation’: Kharge
Kharge took direct aim at Prime Minister Modi, accusing him of misleading the public and failing to deliver on promises. “The Prime Minister was teaching us and said that we lie, but the number one liar is the Prime Minister. It was said that Rs 15 lakh will come, but nothing came. These people are misleading the country and deceiving the people by lying,” he said.
He also criticised the BJP’s treatment of opposition leaders, alleging that Home Minister Amit Shah had turned the party into a “big washing machine” where politicians with questionable records are cleansed.
On the ongoing turmoil in Manipur, Kharge accused PM Modi of neglecting the crisis. “Rahul Gandhi went there and took out a yatra, but the Prime Minister is unwilling to address the problem,” he said.
‘Double standards and distorted legacies’: Kharge
Kharge alleged that the BJP was distorting the legacies of national leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Referring to a 1950 letter from Patel to Nehru, he said, “On July 3, 1950, Sardar Patel wrote to Nehru that Constitutional amendments were the only solution to pressing problems. By distorting facts, even Patel’s contributions have been disrespected.”
He also highlighted Congress’ efforts in ensuring universal adult franchise, pointing out that India became one of the few nations to provide equal voting rights to all sections of society from the outset. “Isn’t this the contribution of Nehru and Ambedkar?” Kharge asked.
‘You live in the past’: Kharge counters Sitharaman
Responding to finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s remarks accusing Congress of using Constitutional amendments to consolidate power, Kharge retorted, “The Prime Minister lives in the past, not the present. It would have been better had he listed present achievements that strengthened democracy.”
He defended Congress’ legacy, crediting policies such as MGNREGA, bank nationalisation, land reforms, and the Food Security Act for uplifting millions. “If these policies had not been introduced, the poor would have perished,” he said.
