At the 85th Congress Plenary Session held in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur (February 24-26) has strongly advocated legislation against hate crimes in the country as part of its 58-point political resolution. This is for the first time that a major political party wants a law to curb growing hate crimes against the minorities committed by the Hindutva radicals with the active connivance of the ruling party. The recent gruesome murder of Nasir and Junaid in Haryana by so-called cow vigilantes has still not shaken the conscience of the country.
The party has also promised to pass an Anti-Discrimination Law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, gender or language in the supply of goods and services.
At the second day of the 3-day conclave, the party’s top leadership made stinging attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government and the ruling BJP. They also accused the BJP of plotting to disrupt the country’s democracy. The conclave vowed to dislodge this “anti-people” and “anti-poor” government in 2024. The party also hinted of forging alliances with like-minded opposition parties for the coming elections.
In his keynote address, newly-elected Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge attacked the ruling party harshly, claiming that there was a plot by the BJP to undermine the democratic process in the country. Yet, Congress is working to unify India.
“It seems there is a conspiracy by BJP to disrupt the country’s democracy. But Congress (is) trying to unite India.”
Attacking BJP for its practice of divisive politics, Kharge said Congress will work to wipe out the prevailing atmosphere of hatred.
“Our aim is to get rid of the prevailing atmosphere of hatred and fear and spread harmony among the people. Our aim is to ensure the betterment of the lives of the poor, tribals, minorities and other neglected sections and marginalised sections of the society.”
“The DNA of those in power in Delhi is anti-poor as they are attacking them,”he added.
Listing the party’s aims, he said we will ensure that the fundamental rights of people are secure and that the institutions hold people in power accountable to the people of the country.
Accusing the Modi government of misusing central agencies and money power to topple the elected governments, he said the party will stop the use of money power, muscle power and the increasing trend of misuse of central agencies like CBI, ED, etc. in toppling democratically elected governments.
Speaking ahead of former party Chief Sonia Gandhi, Kharge said the party was once again looking forward to aligning with like-minded parties to defeat the BJP and added that “We are ready to make sacrifices.”
“Our endeavour is to change governments with people’s votes, not through money bags or help from ED, CBI, or the Income-Tax Department,” he said.
Bharat Jodo Yatra united the country and brought people from all walks of life together. Not only that, it also emerged as a strong voice against the unprecedented challenges that we face today, such challenges include continuing assault on the constitutional values and democracy and social fabric of our country, issues of National Security on the border with China, the prevailing atmosphere of hatred and fear, all-time high inflation, record unemployment and increasing economic inequality, Kharge underlined in his address.
While, in her speech, Sonia Gandhi also accused the government of causing economic ruin by favouring a particular businessman, and vitiating the communal atmosphere in the country.
Making a veiled attack on Modi over the Adani issue, she said it has caused economic ruin by favouring a few chosen businessmen at the expense of all others and of the people, of the ordinary people.
She cautioned the partymen that the present is a particularly challenging time, for the Congress and for the country as a whole. Prime Minister Modi and the BJP-RSS regime has relentlessly captured and subverted every single institution. It ruthlessly silences any voice of Opposition.
On the divisive politics, former party chief said the most distressingly, it fuels the fires of fear and hatred against fellow Indians.
“It viciously targeted minorities, and ignored crimes and discrimination against them, against women, against Dalits and against Adivasis. It mocked Gandhiji, and through its words and actions shows its contempt for the values of our Constitution.”
The Yatra has come as a turning point. It has proved that the people of India overwhelmingly want harmony, tolerance and equality. It has renewed the rich legacy of dialogue between our party and the people through mass contact programmes,” she said.
She urged the partymen to work to uphold the dignity and fulfil the dreams of each and every Indian.
“The Congress is not just a political party. We are the vehicle through which the people of India fight for liberty, equality, fraternity and justice for all. We reflect the voices of people of all states, religions, languages, castes and genders,” she added.
Addressing the party leaders, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel said: “We are fortunate that this convention is being held in Chhattisgarh. It is being held at a time when the country is struggling with inflation and unemployment. Farmers and labourers are in trouble. Our relations with neighbouring countries are not good. In such a situation, the eyes of the country are on Rahul Gandhi.”
On the first day of the session, the Congress steering committee unanimously decided not to hold elections to the CWC and authorised the party chief to nominate its members. Now the CWC, the highest decision body of the party, will be enhanced from 20 to 35 members with 50 percent reservations for minorities, Dalits, OBC and women.
The decision was taken at the Kharge-led steering committee meeting in which members of the Gandhi family skipped.
The first day’s session, sources told Radiance, saw arguments and counter-arguments regarding the holding of CWC elections. Party Media and Communication department chief Jairam Ramesh told the media after the meeting that the dominant and overwhelming view was to empower party chief Kharge to nominate the member.
The plenary session also passed political, economic and international affairs resolutions which were deliberated upon by the delegates.
The 58-point political resolution says: “In the last eight and a half years under the BJP Government, the politics of hate has assumed alarming proportions and religious polarisation has reached its peak. Hate crimes and atrocities have increased manifold. Vigilante rightwing groups incite violence on various trivial issues. These groups operate with impunity and have started acting like police, spreading anarchy and fear. This fear in the minds of minorities is the aim of the BJP/RSS regime. During the course of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, it was clear that the majority of Indians yearn for love, peace and harmony.
“The Congress believes in our civilisational principle of ‘VasudhaivaKutumbakam’ which means “The World Is One Family”. Minorities form about a fifth of India’s population. Neglecting, marginalising, and alienating them is inhuman, and hits at the unity and integrity of India. The culture of hatred, nurtured and propagated by BJP, RSS and their acolytes violates the tenets of all religions. We need to create a sense of security among each and every Indian, regardless of their region, religion, caste, class or gender.”
The party says,
“In the prevailing difficult circumstances, Indian National Congress is the only party in the country that can provide capable and decisive leadership to the country. From 2014, our alliance with likeminded parties served the people of the country effectively and we once again look forward to forging a viable alternative by aligning with likeminded parties to defeat the anti-people, undemocratic BJP government.
“We are ready to strive for the welfare of the people of our country and whatever sacrifices that are required, our goal for upcoming state elections and Lok Sabha election 2024 is clear.
“It has been a unifying force in a very diverse country, with its secular and inclusive policies”.
The plenary session, which comes in the backdrop of the Bharat Jodo Yatra that has been touted as a success by the party, was attended by around 15,000 delegates.
Political observers feel that the plenary session has set the tone for the party for coming electoral battles, including 2024. It has also provided a direction to the party rank and file which has been disheartened by the successive debacle of party at the hustings.