NEW DELHI: The Congress party on Wednesday strongly criticised RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks suggesting that India’s “true independence” was achieved with the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Speaking at the inauguration of the party’s new headquarters, Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge condemned Bhagwat’s statements, calling them “downright anti-national” and an “insult” to the freedom movement and the Constitution.
Rahul Gandhi: ‘Bhagwat’s remarks are treasonous’
Leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi labelled Bhagwat’s comments as treasonous, asserting that they undermined the struggle for independence and the foundations of India’s Constitution. “Mohan Bhagwat has the audacity to claim that India’s independence in 1947 was invalid, and the Constitution is not a symbol of our freedom. Such statements insult every Indian and our freedom fighters,” former Congress president said.
He also added, “What he said yesterday is treason… Because he is stating that the Constitution is invalid and the fight against the British was invalid.”
He also accused the BJP and RSS of systematically undermining democratic institutions and manipulating investigative agencies to target opposition leaders. “The BJP and RSS have captured every institution, and we are now fighting not just them but the Indian state itself,” Rahul alleged.
Kharge reacts on RSS chief’s remarks
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge echoed Gandhi’s sentiments, condemning Bhagwat’s remarks and warning that such divisive statements could provoke public backlash. “It will become difficult for him to move around in the country if he continues to make such statements,” Kharge said.
Kharge pointed out the RSS’s lack of participation in the independence movement, saying, “Those who did not fight for independence are now making claims about it. They have no understanding of the sacrifices made for India’s freedom.”
“RSS people believe that independence was established with Ram Temple inauguration. It is a matter of shame that even though we got independence in 1947 they are not acknowledging it because they did not struggle for it, go to jail, and therefore they do not remember. We remember because our people died for independence and struggled for it,” he said.
‘Astonishing’ and ‘anti-national’: Jairam Ramesh
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also denounced RSS chief’s recent remarks, describing them as “astonishing” and “anti-national.” Sharing his reaction on X, Ramesh wrote, “Shri Mohan Bhagwat has made ridiculous statements frequently. But even by his lowest of low standards, his latest pronouncement is not just astonishing but downright anti-national.”
He called Bhagwat’s comments a “gross insult to Mahatma Gandhi and that remarkable generation that secured freedom for the country,” adding that they represent “yet another assault on the Constitution that came into effect on January 26, 1950.”
Ramesh demanded an immediate apology from the RSS chief. “Shri Bhagwat should immediately apologise for his outrageous remarks, which reflect the mindset of an ideology that neither participated in the freedom movement nor gave respect to the Father of the Nation and Dr Ambedkar during their lifetimes,” he said.
‘Indira Gandhi Bhawan’: Congress new HQ
The new Congress headquarters at 9A, Kotla Road, named “Indira Gandhi Bhawan,” was inaugurated in the presence of senior party leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh, and K C Venugopal.
Kharge announced that the party’s library would be named after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away last month. “History has been kind to Dr Singh, as he had predicted. His tenure brought significant reforms, including RTI, RTE, MNREGA, and the Food Security Act,” Kharge said, while also crediting Sonia Gandhi for her role in Singh’s selection as prime minister.
Congress: The only opposition to BJP and RSS
Gandhi emphasised the Congress party’s role as the primary opposition to the BJP and RSS. “No other party can challenge them because we stand on a strong ideological foundation. The BJP wants to run India as a secretive, centralised power, crushing dissent and constitutional values,” he said.
Kharge and Gandhi also lauded the success of the “Bharat Jodo Yatra,” led by LoP in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for raising awareness about issues like inflation, unemployment, and caste census.
‘Center for fighting forces working against Constitution’
The inauguration of the new headquarters was described as a moment of renewal for the party. “This building symbolises the strength of our ideology and the sacrifices of Congress workers. It will serve as the center for fighting forces working against the Constitution and democracy,” Kharge said.