Government determined to undermine all democratic norms: Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI: A day before the budget session of Parliament, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had a one-on-one meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan at her residence regarding the smooth functioning of the House, but later in the evening a Congress Working Committee gathering accused the government of muzzling freedom of speech and expression in educational institutions, indicating that its chance of a meeting ground with the government was next to nil.

“The ruling establishment seems to have lost all sense of balance and proportion. It appears determined to undermine all democratic norms. It seems hell-bent to destroy the spirit of inquiry, the spirit of questioning, the spirit of debate and dissent. First, it muzzled our voice in the Lok Sabha. Then it silenced civil society activists and organisations. Now is the turn of universities. Universities are places where young people must have the fullest freedom to express themselves,” Congress president told the CWC.

The CWC meeting discussed JNU, violence in courts, Jat reservation demands, Arunachal Pradesh and alleged corruption in BJP-ruled states. Taking on the government, Gandhi said: “To cover up its many failures, the ruling establishment has once again unleashed its divisive agenda by generating a wholly unwarranted debate on patriotism and nationalism.

Simply put, democratic and liberal value are under severe assault. The freedom to think and speak are being drastically curtailed.” The CWC accused the government of clamping down on educational institutions, NGOs and voluntary organisations. “Educational institutions are not only the target, but have been a high priority in the RSS’ nefarious agenda to impose its ideology in the universities and colleges. Professional agencies like the NIA have been emasculated, calling into serious question the government’s commitment to fighting terrorism.

What has been done in Arunachal Pradesh, a most sensitive and strategic border state, is nothing but murder of the Constitution. The voices of civil society organisations, NGOs and social activists who are playing a valuable role are being muzzled and their credentials made suspect,” a CWC statement said. Giving a clear indication that it was not committing itself to passing the GST bill, Congress leader Anand Sharma said: “The Congress has raised serious concerns over GST bill. A formulation had been given to the government.

There was no discussion on GST bill or specific legislations in CWC. Bills will be passed on merit.” Mahajan has been unhappy with the conduct of young Congress MPs considered close to Gandhi in the last two sessions.