Congress likens Modi to Aurangzeb, says there's undeclared Emergency
New Delhi, June 26: Comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with "dictator" Aurangzeb, the Congress on Tuesday said there is an "undeclared Emergency" in the country for the past 49 months and democracy has been held hostage by his party BJP.
Describing the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) as a "Bahut Jhoothi Party" (a party based on lies) and Modi a "liar Prime Minister", the Congress said owing to its arrogance, in 2019 the BJP would meet the same fate as it had in 1984 when it was reduced to two seats.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters: "Dictator Emperor Narendra Modi, who is more cruel than Delhi sultanate's Aurangzeb, today (Tuesday) gave the country lessons in Emergency, which took place 43 years back."
"He forgot to say that Aurangzeb had imprisoned only his father, but in the past 49 months of undeclared Emergency, today's Aurangzeb Modiji, along with his party BJP, has held the very democracy a hostage," said Surjewala.
Prime Minister Modi said on Tuesday that the period of the 1975-77 Emergency was a "dark period" that the nation could never forget and called for making democracy stronger by "writing, debating, deliberating and questioning" its vital aspects and reiterated his commitment to protecting the Indian Constitution and democracy.
Surjewala said: "For the last 49 months, PM Modi's numerous promises have turned out to be lies. Black money hasn't returned yet and democracy is being crushed under the Modi government."
He said that an atmosphere of fear is being created to suppress dissent.
"There is an undeclared Emergency in this country for the last 49 months, and the opposition is being suppressed. Modiji himself follows those people who give death and rape threats to anyone who oppose them, including BJP's minister Sushma Swaraj," said Surjewala.
"The Finance Ministry is actively working to disrupt the thriving Indian economy instead of improving it. The Prime Minister is himself threatening the states to fall in line or else there would be cuts in the grants released to them," he added.
"PM Modi is distracting people to hide his failures. He is trying to divert attention of the country by talking about 43-year-old Emergency."
Hitting out at the BJP, the Congress leader said: "Forty-three years ago, Janata Party (JP) was pro-rich and pro-zamindars, while Congress party fought to give access of banks to the marginalised. Even today the BJP favours only a handful of rich."
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Hundreds fall ill after suspected sewage contamination in Jaipur locality
Jaipur (PTI): Hundreds of residents of the Sushilpura area here have fallen ill over the last week, allegedly due to sewage contamination of the drinking water supply, sparking a health scare.
Several residents have reported similar symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea, and fever, with children and the elderly among the worst affected. Locals claim the crisis has impacted nearly every household, forcing many to rely on water tankers or buy packaged drinking water.
Pooran Mal Kumawat, a resident, said his family has been unwell for several days.
"We have all been suffering from diarrhoea and weakness. My wife even had to take injections," he said.
Another resident, Janki Saini, said the situation has become increasingly difficult. "All three of my children are suffering from stomach pain and fever, and we are arranging water from outside," she said.
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Jagdish Sahu, who has spent thousands of rupees on medical treatment so far, highlighted the financial burden caused by the crisis.
"My mother and I are unwell, and I had to take my son for treatment. We are buying water daily, which is adding to our expenses," he said.
According to the residents, the problem began after road construction work in the area allegedly damaged underground pipelines, leading to sewage mixing with drinking water. Overflowing drains and broken streets have further worsened conditions, they said.
Dr Anil Mehta, in charge of a nearby government dispensary, said over 150 patients with similar symptoms have been treated in the last three days alone. Private practitioners in the area have also reported a surge in such cases.
Civil Lines MLA Gopal Sharma, who visited the area multiple times following protests by residents, said efforts were underway to resolve the issue.
"The government and administration are working hard to find a permanent solution at the earliest, and officials have been directed to restore the clean water supply," he said.
Sharma added that teams from the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and the health department have been deployed, and relief measures such as the distribution of medicines and water supply arrangements are being carried out.
However, former Congress MLA Pratap Singh Khachariyawas alleged negligence on the part of the authorities and questioned the decision to undertake road work.
"If the road was in good condition, why was it dug up? Damage to sewer and water lines due to such work has led to this crisis," he said, warning of protests if the issue is not resolved soon.
Residents, meanwhile, said tanker supply remains inadequate despite assurances, and contaminated water continues to be used for non-drinking purposes.
Authorities said efforts are on to repair damaged pipelines and ensure safe drinking water, even as the health department continues to monitor the situation closely.
