Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has accused the government of misusing and subverting the institutions of the Constitution. In an article for The Telegraph on B R Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, Gandhi said that the “real anti-nationals” are those who use their power to divide Indians against each other on the grounds of religion, language, caste and gender. She added that people must act to defend the Constitution from this “systematic assault”. Gandhi also said that the regime in power is weakening the foundations of liberty, equality, fraternity and justice.
Gandhi explained that liberty is “threatened” by misusing the law to harass people rather than to protect their rights. Equality is “assaulted” by “favoured treatment to chosen friends” in every sphere, even as the vast majority of Indians suffer economically. Fraternity is eroded by deliberately manufacturing an atmosphere of hatred and polarising Indians against each other. She also said that the resultant injustice is amplified by pressuring the judiciary through a sustained campaign.
Gandhi called for all Indians, including political parties, unions and associations, citizens in groups and as individuals, to play their part in defending the Constitution. She said that Dr Ambedkar’s life and struggle teaches critical lessons which can serve as a guide. The first lesson is to vigorously debate and disagree but ultimately work together for the nation’s interest. The history of India’s freedom struggle is full of sharp disagreements among Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Ambedkar, Sardar Patel and others. These debates naturally attract interest, as they offer many perspectives on serious questions about our future.
