Modi Govt muzzling opposition voice, running down past achievements : Sonia Gandhi

Delivering the keynote address at the India Today conclave 2018, Gandhi also charged the Narendra Modi Government with undermining the intelligence of the country's people and "running down" the achievements of  past Governments with its oft-repeated claim that there existed a "big giant black hole" before the BJP took over.

"Was India really a giant black hole before 2014? Is it not an insult to the intelligence of our people? This is a deliberate unwillingness to look at India's strengths over the past decades," media reports quoted her as saying.

"India's has been a noble, liberal democracy, fueled by political competition, but with due regard to constitutional norms. We have allowed dissent and protest, dialogue and compromise. Our public discourse is not anchored in innuendo or invective.".

"Our institutions are now under assault. They are  rewriting history, falsifying facts, furthering prejudice and bigotry...Our freedom is under assault. Today we are embracing a regressive vision,” she said.

Accusing the BJP of harbouring intolerance, Sonia said,  “Fear and intimidation are order of the day; alternate voices are being silenced, religious tensions are being fuelled, vigilante armies are being let loose with state patronage, society is being polarised with a view to win election.”

She said the country is in the midst of “great upheaval” and that the Narendra Modi-led BJP government is using its brute majority in Parliament to silence  the voice of the Opposition.

“If we are not allowed to speak in parliament, why not shut down Parliament so we can all go home. Unlike Vajpayee, this BJP govt doesn’t respect parliament procedures,” she said.

Sonia said post May 20, 2014 "the foundation of our constitution has been willfully shredded."

Questioning the claims of economic achievements by the present dispensation and its slight at the previous Governments, the Congress leader  slammed the "arrogance" of the BJP in "running down" the past achievements under previous governments.

Sonia said that it is not a matter of taking credit but "recognising India's strengths and strenuous efforts over past decades".

“Was India really a giant black hole before 26th May 2014? Did India march to progress, prosperity and greatness just 4 years ago? Is this claim not an insult to the intelligence of our people," she asked.

Sonia  also criticised the BJP’s way of governance. “Our judiciary is in turmoil. RTI was brought to bring transperancy, but today that law is in cold storage. Aadhaar is being turned into intrusive instrument of control."

"Long-standing precedents are being violated; political opponents are being targeted through the misuse of of investigating agencies. Vigilante mobs are being let loose with State patronage. There are shocking atrocities on Dalits and women. Our society is being polarised with a view of winning elections. What happened to the India we knew?" she asked.

:  Sonia said that there is an attempt to "subvert the essence of India" and "fear and intimidation are the order of the day". She said that society is being "polarised" with an eye on the elections, adding that "provocative statements are part of a dangerous design".