Indian democracy passing through its 'most difficult phase': Sonia Gandhi
New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi Sunday launched a scathing attack on the government over the three farm laws, the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic slowdown, and alleged atrocities against Dalits while claiming that Indian democracy is passing through its "most difficult phase".
A "conspiracy" has been hatched to defeat the gains of the green revolution', she alleged, slamming the government over the three "anti-agriculture black laws.
Addressing a meeting of AICC general secretaries and state-in-charges which she presided over, Gandhi also alleged that the country was being ruled by a government that was "systematically" handing over the rights of citizens to a handful of crony capitalists.
This was the first meeting of general secretaries and state in-charges Sonia Gandhi chaired after a major organizational reshuffle last month.
Hitting out at the government over the recently passed farm laws, she said the BJP-led dispensation has attacked the very foundation of India's resilient agrarian economy by bringing in "three anti-agriculture black laws".
"A conspiracy has been hatched to defeat the gains of the green revolution'. Lives and livelihoods of crores of farm laborers, leasehold farmers, small and marginal farmers, toiling laborers, and small shopkeepers are under attack. It is our solemn duty to join hands to defeat this sinister conspiracy," Gandhi asserted.
The three farm bills -- the Farmer's Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, the Farmer's (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 -- were passed by Parliament recently. Subsequently, President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the bills.
Congress, many other opposition parties, and several farmers organizations have been protesting against these legislations, claiming that these will harm the interests of farmers and benefit corporates, a claim denied by the government. The Centre has asserted that these new laws will be beneficial for farmers and will increase their income.
Alleging that the country's democracy is passing through its "most difficult phase", Gandhi claimed there is a "designed attack" on the Constitution and democratic traditions.
The country was pushed into the "abyss" of coronavirus pandemic by "sheer ineptitude" and "mismanagement" of the Modi government, Gandhi alleged in her opening remarks at the meeting.
"All this happened as we witnessed the biggest unplanned and cruel migration of crores of migrant laborers as the government remained a mute spectator to their miseries.
The stark truth is that a prime minister who promised to defeat corona within 21 days has abdicated his and his government's responsibility towards the citizens," Gandhi said.
There is neither a plan nor strategic thinking, solution, or a way ahead in the fight against the pandemic, she alleged in her address in Hindi.
Gandhi claimed that the government has simultaneously "demolished" the economy, built painstakingly by the hard work of fellow Indians, and the vision of successive Congress governments.
"Never has the country witnessed such a free-fall in GDP as also all other economic indices. Today, the young have no jobs. Nearly 14 crore jobs have been lost. Small and medium businesses, small shopkeepers and other small enterprises are shutting at an unprecedented pace, yet an uncaring government remains a mute spectator," the Congress president said.
She also accused the government of failing to honour even its Constitutional responsibilities, saying the share of GST compensation is being denied to states.
"How will the state governments help our people, if the government of India was to renege on its Constitutional obligations? This must be a first example of economic anarchy being spread by the central government," Gandhi said.
Alleging that atrocities against Dalits have reached a "new zenith", she said that instead of honouring the law and granting adequate protection to India's daughters, BJP governments are siding with criminals.
"The voice of oppressed families is being suppressed by the agencies of the state. Is this the new Raj Dharma'?" Gandhi asked.
She exhorted the general secretaries and state in-charges to take on these challenges and stand with the people, saying this is what defines the Congress organization.
"I am confident that all of you would toil hard and stand up to the forces attacking India and its people. Let us join hands to defeat the anti-democracy and autocratic designs of the ruling BJP," she said.
"Persistent and determined struggle for the cause of people is the heart and soul of the Indian National Congress. Even today, dedicated service of fellow citizens and determined fight against the injustice, inequity, and discrimination in all spheres is the guiding light for every Congress men and women," Gandhi said.
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U'khand forest fires: IAF helicopter assists in firefighting for 2nd day, blaze doused in many areas
Dehradun (PTI): The firefighting operation in Uttarakhand's forests with the help of an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter continued for the second day on Sunday with the blaze brought to control in several areas, officials said.
Efforts have also intensified to extinguish the raging forest fires in the state, especially in the worst-affected areas of Nainital, Haldwani and Ramnagar forest divisions, forest officials here said on Sunday.
The forest fires are gradually being controlled with the flames already doused in many areas. The fires in Marora and Khanana civil areas in Maniknath range of the Narendranagar forest division have been completely extinguished, they said.
The forest blaze in Nainital and adjoining areas is gradually being brought under control after the deployment of an IAF helicopter for the firefighting operations on Saturday morning, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said after reviewing the situation in the Kumaon region on Saturday night.
According to the Indian Air Force, a Mi-17 V5 helicopter has been deployed in Nainital and surrounding areas to douse the flames.
Apart from the IAF helicopter and Army personnel, Prantiya Rakshak Dal volunteers and homeguard personnel have also been roped in to help in the firefighting operations, Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat said.
Additional government vehicles, two each for the three forest divisions, have been provided to rush firefighting teams to the affected areas, he added.
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Help from locals with the involvement of forest panchayat officials is also being taken as they are the first responders to forest fires, Rawat said.
Forest department personnel are going from village to village in the hills to raise awareness about forest fires, Garhwal DFO Anirudh Swapnil told reporters in Pauri.
Loudspeakers are being used to spread the messages. People are being asked to report any forest blaze immediately to the authorities and not to burn garbage in the open or carelessly throw burning cigarette butts or bidis in the forest areas, Swapni said.
People are also being asked to report to the authorities if they catch someone setting a fire in the forests, he said, adding that any person reporting such a violation will be rewarded by the forest department.
Legal action under the Forest Act 1927 will be taken against anyone caught setting fire to the jungles, he added.
Burning forests in order to obtain fresh grass for their cattle is a widely prevalent practice in the hills of Uttarakhand.
The chief minister has cancelled the leaves of forest department officials until the fire situation is completely brought under control.
Leave applications of forest department personnel will be considered only in case of medical emergencies, Dhami said.
Forest officials said the IAF helicopter collected water from the Naini and Bhimtal lakes in a Bambi bucket and poured it over the burning forests of the Pines, Bhumiadhar, Jyolikot, Narayan Nagar, Bhawali, Ramgarh and Mukteshwar areas.
The bucket can hold up to 5,000 litres of water at a time.
As many as 31 fresh incidents of forest fire were reported from various parts of the state on Friday, destroying 33.34 hectares of forest land, according to officials.
The fire that broke out in the forest near Nainital took a horrific form on Friday, posing a threat to the residents of High Court Colony. It also affected traffic movement in the area.
