Marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, the Congress party on Wednesday launched a fierce critique of the current Modi-led government, alleging that Indian democracy is facing an “undeclared emergency” of a new kind.
In a strongly worded statement, Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh described the situation as “Undeclared Emergency@11”, pointing to what the party sees as an ongoing, eleven-year assault on democratic institutions and constitutional principles since 2014.
Ramesh alleged a systematic five-pronged threat that includes suppression of dissent, spread of hate, curbing of media freedom, targeting of minorities, and the misuse of government agencies. “Over the past eleven years and thirty days, Indian democracy has been under a systematic and dangerous five-fold assault,” Ramesh said, warning that the very spirit of the Constitution is being hollowed out.
The Congress party claimed that critics of the government have been consistently vilified, hate speech has become normalized, and civil liberties have come under relentless attack. “Protesting farmers were labelled 'Khalistanis', supporters of the caste census were branded as 'urban Naxals', and the killers of Mahatma Gandhi are being glorified,” Ramesh stated.
He further accused the government of fostering fear among minorities and disproportionately targeting Dalits and marginalised groups. “Ministers who make hate speeches are being rewarded with promotions,” he added.
As the central government observed ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ to mark the Emergency imposed 50 years ago, the Congress used the occasion to turn the spotlight on what it claims is a silent erosion of democratic norms under the current regime.
Ramesh listed several trends contributing to this alleged “undeclared emergency,” including:
- Attacks on the Constitution
- Tax terrorism and intimidation of businesses
- Control over the media
- Misuse of investigative agencies
- Widespread surveillance and suppression of civil society
