Democracy going through darkest hours under Modi govt: Rahul

The Congress Working Committee today warned the Modi government that its "undemocratic methods" and "acts to curtail" liberty and freedom of expression would be strongly resisted as Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on it alleging that democracy is going through "one of its darkest hours".
A meeting of the CWC presided over by Rahul "warned the government that its undemocratic methods and acts to curtail liberty, freedom of expression and violation of fundamental rights of the citizen as enshrined in the Constitution will be strongly resisted."
Congress president Sonia Gandhi did not attend the meeting as she was said to be indisposed.

In a resolution on political and economic situation in the country, adopted at the meet, the CWC associated itself with the concerns of citizens and media over "growing intolerance, centralisation of authority, arbitrary and partisan decisions, abuse of power, and misuse of government agencies to target political opponents, critics and institutions".
The apex policy making body of the Congress met close on the heels of detention of Rahul Gandhi thrice in two days by Delhi Police after he protested over the OROP issue in the wake of suicide by an ex-serviceman.
The meeting also comes in the backdrop of the government's order putting a one-day ban on NDTV India over its coverage of the Pathankot terror attack, a move that has come under all-round attack from opposition and the media.

In a combative speech, Rahul said the ruling dispensation was "obsessed with power and seeking to silence" all those who disagree and which was "hiding behind the cloak of national security, civil society is being intimidated for asking questions".

"Democracy under the present dispensation is going through one of the darkest hours," he said, adding that all attempts by the government to suppress fundamental rights by "abusing" state power would only strengthen the Congress resolve to defeat such "danger designs".
"Asking questions is what discomforts this government the most, for they have no answers. We must in every forum, in particular the upcoming session of Parliament, expose the government's failures," Rahul said in his opening remarks.

With the Winter Session of Parliament just over a week away, the CWC resolved to continue its struggle "to expose communal and divisive agenda of BJP-RSS and reactionary forces and the failures and the double speak of the Modi government, and will champion with greater vigor the cause of the poor and the marginalised."
"(CWC) Members unanimously expressed their strong
sentiment that accepting the wishes of crores of Congress workers and well-wishers, Rahul Gandhi take over as the president of the Congress party," Antony told reporters while briefing on the deliberations.
He said all members, including Manmohan Singh, insisted it was "high time" Rahul took over as party chief and the Congress mobilised "all forces" to take on "anti-people and dictatorial" policies of the Modi government.

Meanwhile, the CWC expressed deep concern and alarm over the "continuing and deliberate attack" on the independence of the judiciary and the delay in appointments of judges to higher judiciary, which it felt has adversely affected the judicial delivery system.
It also exhorted the government to take stock of the unprecedented spurt in prices of essential commodities, and the plight of farmers on account of inadequate MSP for crops.
Making a strong pitch for a course correction, the party wanted the government to focus on governance and address the genuine problems of people and fulfil its promises made earlier.
The resolution also criticised the government for taking political mileage out of the bravery of soldiers in the wake of surgical strikes across the Line of Control and deplored the attempt by the government and BJP to whip up hysteria and create a division in the polity and termed it as "unfortunate and counter-productive".

The CWC urged the government to observe restraint and discretion and give up its attempts to gain political advantage out of an essentially military action.
"False claims, chest-thumping and jingoism have no place in a mature democracy, especially on matters concerning the defence of the country," the resolution said.
The CWC offered its unequivocal support to ex-servicemen in their "just struggle to win OROP", removal of anomalies in implementation of 7th Pay Commission to Armed Forces, withdrawal of order on reduction of 'Disability Pension'.
Rahul, who has been raking up the issue of OROP for the past few days, said, "In recent months, our jawans have suffered the highest casualties in decades. They are being cruelly rewarded by a callous government with denial of OROP and cut in disability pension."

The CWC also deplored "the government's actions in launching an assault on democratic rights by misusing the police and the laws and illegally detaining the principal opposition party and its leadership to prevent them from taking up the cause of ex-servicemen".
Alluding to the one-day ban on Hindi channel NDTV India, Rahul charged, "TV channels are being punished and asked to shut down. The opposition is being arrested for holding the government to account".
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The CWC condemned escalation of atrocities on dalits, adivasis and minorities and the violent attacks on poor who have raised their voice of protest, which has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the people.

"It is deplorable that persons occupying positions of responsibility in the Government and in the ruling party have encouraged and endorsed the actions of individuals and organizations responsible for these incidents and acts of violence," it said.
Noting that key parameters of the economy are in sharp decline, the party said, "contrary to boastful claims, Indian economy is not surging but is struggling" and government is attempting to hide behind GDP growth figures amid doubts over it being incompatible with verifiable data in public domain.
The CWC also conveyed to government to take note of the alarming environmental situation reflected in pollution and smog enveloping the national capital and north India.

"We urge upon Government of India and Government of Delhi to rise above their adversarial relationship and find lasting solutions to the problem," the resolution said.
In its resolution, the party recalled the contribution of Indira Gandhi to nation-building and her sacrifice for unity and integrity of the country.
It also called upon all to celebrate the birth centenary of Indira Gandhi in a befitting manner and regretted that the NDA government instead of recognising her enormous contribution was attempting to belittle her life and work and "disrespected her memory".
The resolution expressing shock and deep distress over the martyrdom of 19 Indian soldiers in a terror attack in Uri on September 18, expressed the hope that the perpetrators of the act as also forces behind it will be severely dealt with and brought to book.

The CWC members also observed a two-minute silence in memory of all those who laid their lives for the country.
In view of upcoming assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, Rahul Gandhi earlier said the Modi government is expected to launch a "disinformation campaign and polarisation to exploit caste and religious issues".
"With state elections due in the coming months as we can safely expect the Modi government to launch a campaign of disinformation and polarisation. They will exploit caste and religious fault lines. We must anticipates and neutralise such devious strategies," he said.
Underlining that Congress has "successfully exposed" the Modi government's "anti-poor agenda and broken promises", Gandhi asked the partymen to continue the "struggle to expose the comprehensive failure of the Modi government on all fronts".