Staff Reporter
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has said that the “divisive ideology” anchored in hate and prejudice is causing havoc on the secular fabric of society, rewriting history and undermining the finest traditions of India’s Parliamentary democracy. She said the Congress, which has a tradition of facing many challenges, will fight these “destructive forces”.
“Divisive ideologies anchored in hate and prejudice and which had no role whatsoever to play in our freedom movement, are now causing havoc on the secular fabric of our society. They are rewriting history to give themselves a role they do not deserve. They inflame passions, instil fear and spread animosity. The finest traditions of our parliamentary democracy are being deliberately damaged,” Gandhi said in a video message on the occasion of the 137th foundation day of the Indian National Congress on Tuesday.
Gandhi said the Congress party will take on these divisive forces. “The Indian National Congress will fight these destructive forces with all the might at its command. Let there be no doubt on our steadfast resolve..”
Referring to the manner in which the Congress party had confronted past challenges, she added: “136 years ago today, the Indian National Congress was founded and established. Over the decades, it has confronted several challenges and it has always demonstrated its resilience. Today, we rededicate ourselves to the ideals, values and principles of our organisation that have been shaped, guided and inspired by some of the greatest, noblest and most selfless of Indians of the 20th century.”
“They are rewriting history to give themselves a role they do not deserve. They inflame passion, instil fear, and spread animosity and the finest traditions of our parliamentary democracy are being deliberately damaged,” she said, in an obvious reference to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), though she did not name India’s ruling party.
Gandhi said that electoral victories and defeats were inevitable, and reiterated the Congress’s commitments towards the people of the country. “Today, we rededicate ourselves to the ideals, values, and principles of our organisation that has been shaped, guided, and inspired by some of the greatest, noblest, and most selfless of Indians of the 20th century,” she said.
Highlighting the party’s 136-year history with lots of challenges in recent years, Gandhi said they “had confronted several challenges and always demonstrated resilience”.
Gandhi said they would counter the forces working against India with all they had. “Let there be no doubt on our steadfast resolve. We have never and we will never compromise on our fundamental beliefs that are part of our glorious legacy. Electoral ups and downs are inevitable but what is enduring and lasting is our commitment to the service of all people of our diverse society,’’ she said.
Gandhi said the party “had confronted several challenges and always demonstrated its resilience’’ in the 136 years.