New Delhi: In a veiled attack on the NDA-led dispensation, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said that with “clouds of hate and division” appearing to be overpowering secular and liberal forces, the nation is forced to think whether they are trying to destroy the roots of democracy.
Speaking in a discussion in Lok Sabha to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, Ms Gandhi, who spoke in Hindi, said that the people of the country will have to fight for India in which they believe, which which is loved by one and all.
It should not be forgotten, she said, that there were people and organisations which had opposed the Quit India movement and made no contribution to the country’s freedom. Though the Congress president did not name any party or organisation, her reference to the RSS was quite obvious.
Ms Gandhi’s remarks evoked a sharp response from first-time MP from Chandigarh Kirron Kher, who could be heard shouting “Sad, travesty of Parliament.” Congress MPs shouted her down, and even BJP members were seen asking her not to speak with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi present in the House.
The Congress chief used her speech to underline the contributions of the Congress and Jawaharlal Nehru to the landmark episode in India’s struggle for independence.
