India's democracy, a vibrant and resilient institution that has sustained the aspirations of over a billion people, stands as a global testament to participation and pluralism. Yet, its history is scarred by moments of profound crisis, none more infamous than the Emergency of 1975-1977, imposed by the Congress Party under Indira Gandhi. During those 21 months, civil liberties were suspended, political opponents were jailed, and the press was gagged, marking a dark chapter in India's democratic journey. Fifty years after the imposition of the Emergency on 25 June 1975, the Congress Party, now in opposition and under the degenerative influence of Rahul Gandhi, continues to undermine the spirit of democracy. Through LoP Rahul Gandhi's vicious efforts to tarnish India's global image, the party's baseless attacks on the Election Commission, and its attempts to discredit the judiciary, the Congress demonstrates a compulsive disregard for democratic institutions.
One of the most alarming ways in which the Congress Party assaults democracy is through Rahul Gandhi's repeated attempts to malign India's image on international platforms. During his frequent foreign tours to the United States, the United Kingdom, and other nations, Gandhi consistently painted a distorted picture of India's democratic health. He has accused the Indian government of suppressing dissent, curbing press freedom, and undermining democratic institutions, often without providing credible evidence to substantiate his claims. For instance, in speeches at prestigious institutions like Cambridge University and during interactions with foreign media, he has suggested that India's democracy is under threat, portraying the nation as sliding toward authoritarianism. Such rhetoric not only misrepresents the vibrancy of India's democratic processes but also weakens the country's global standing. By airing internal political grievances abroad, Gandhi bypasses the democratic norm of addressing concerns within India's robust parliamentary and public forums. This approach risks emboldening foreign critics and adversaries who seize upon his statements to question India's sovereignty and democratic credentials. Furthermore, it erodes domestic faith in institutions by fostering a narrative of distrust, undermining the very democracy he claims to defend. Gandhi's actions reflect a reckless prioritisation of political point-scoring over national interest, revealing a deep-seated disregard for the principles of constructive opposition that are essential to a functioning democracy.
Equally concerning is the Congress Party's relentless campaign to vilify the Election Commission of India (ECI), a cornerstone of Indian democracy known for conducting free and fair elections on an unprecedented scale. Following electoral setbacks, Congress has repeatedly accused the ECI of bias, manipulation, and complicity with the ruling party, often without furnishing concrete evidence. These allegations, amplified through press conferences, social media campaigns, and public statements, aim to sow seeds of doubt about the integrity of India's electoral process. For instance, in the aftermath of recent elections, Congress leaders have questioned the reliability of electronic voting machines (EVMs), the authenticity of voter lists and the impartiality of the ECI, despite the commission's transparent mechanisms and rigorous oversight, which have been lauded globally. Strikingly, even Congress's allies, such as Omar Abdullah of the National Conference, have publicly contradicted these claims, affirming the ECI's credibility and urging the party to accept electoral outcomes gracefully. Abdullah's dissent underscores the baseless nature of Congress's accusations, which are driven more by political expediency than genuine concern. By persistently undermining the ECI, Congress risks eroding public confidence in the electoral process, a dangerous precedent that could destabilise the democratic foundation of India. Such actions not only weaken the institution but also foster cynicism among voters, threatening the participatory spirit that defines Indian democracy.
The Congress Party's assaults on democracy extend to the judiciary, another formidable pillar of India's democratic framework. A particularly egregious example is its response to the Supreme Court's 2019 verdict on the Ram Temple dispute in Ayodhya. The judgment, which resolved a decades-long conflict by allowing the construction of the Ram Temple while allocating land for a mosque, was a landmark in balancing legal reasoning with social harmony. Yet, Congress leaders have repeatedly cast aspersions on the verdict, insinuating political interference and questioning the judiciary's independence. By doing so, they undermine the authority of the Supreme Court, an institution tasked with upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice. Such rhetoric is not only irresponsible but also dangerous, as it risks reigniting communal tensions over a sensitive issue that the judiciary meticulously addressed. Congress's selective criticism of judicial rulings, particularly those that do not align with its political narrative, reveals a pattern of eroding institutional credibility for short-term gains. This approach threatens the checks and balances that are vital to a healthy democracy, as it seeks to delegitimise the judiciary's role as an impartial arbiter. By casting doubt on judicial processes, Congress undermines the trust that citizens place in the legal system, weakening the democratic edifice.
The Congress Party's actions, whether in power or opposition, reveal a troubling consistency in its approach to democratic institutions. The Emergency of 1975-1977 was a blatant assault on democracy, marked by authoritarian measures that suppressed fundamental rights. Decades later, as an opposition party, Congress continues to exhibit a similar disdain for democratic norms, albeit through subtler but equally damaging means. Rahul Gandhi's international smear campaigns, the party's baseless attacks on the Election Commission, and its undermining of judicial verdicts like the Ram Temple judgment collectively demonstrate a compulsive tendency to weaken the very institutions that sustain India's democracy. These actions are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern that prioritises political expediency over the principles of democratic governance.
(Tuhin A. Sinha is a National Spokesperson of BJP, besides being an author.)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
