‘Undeclared Emergency@11': Congress hits back with ‘five-fold assault' charge against BJP

Indian Express

4 days ago

In a counter-attack, the Congress, taking a jibe at the Modi-led government Wednesday, alleged that over the past 11 years (since 2014) — the Indian democracy has been under 'systematic and dangerous' five-fold assault over the past 11 years (since 2014) — a period it described as an 'Undeclared Emergency@11'.
This comes after the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) went all-out on the grand old party (Congress) on the 50th anniversary of the imposition of the Emergency by the then Indira Gandhi-led government.
'No Indian will ever forget the manner in which the spirit of the Constitution was violated during the Emergency,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X.
In a statement, Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that the Modi government is 'weakening Parliament' and has consistently shredded parliamentary norms. The MPs, who have raised mere issues of public concern, have been arbitrarily suspended. 'Key legislations are bulldozed through. Parliamentary committees have been by-passed,' he added.
Congress leader further accused the government of spreading 'unbridled hate speech' and 'a crackdown on civil liberties'.
Our statement on the five-fold assault on Indian Democracy that has led to the Undeclared Emergency@11 pic.twitter.com/SZI1FthtEK
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 25, 2025
During these 11 years, the ruling establishment protesting farmers were labelled 'Khalistanis', and advocates of caste census were dismissed as 'urban Naxals', the statement said. 'The killers of Mahatma Gandhi are glorified. Minorities live in fear of their lives and property. Dalits and other marginalised groups have been disproportionately targeted, and ministers making hate speeches have been rewarded with promotions,' he claimed.
Ramesh's remarks came as the government observed 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' to mark the Emergency anniversary. He also accused the BJP of using money power to topple Opposition-led state governments. 'The office of the Governor has been misused to block bills in opposition-ruled states and to interfere in university appointments. The Centre has bypassed constitutional fiscal arrangements by overusing cesses to deprive states of their rightful revenue share,' he said.
In another series of attacks, the Congress general secretary claimed the 'Election Commission of India's integrity has been compromised severely.' He said, 'Poll timings and phases are tailored to benefit the ruling party. The Commission has remained silent in the face of divisive rhetoric from the Prime Minister and senior BJP leaders,' he alleged.'
Ramesh also accused the BJP-led government of 'damaging the judiciary' and said there has been a definite policy of quiet threats to the judiciary, primarily through delayed elevations, punitive transfers, post-retirement sinecures for pliant judges, and selective implementation of collegium recommendations.
He added that investigative agencies — including the ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department — have been 'rampantly misused' to harass and defame Opposition leaders. 'Those who switch parties and join the BJP automatically become ED-mukt and CBI-mukt,' he alleged.