Sonia Gandhi slams BJP-led central govt for "rising intolerance"

On Thursday, Sonia Gandhi indirectly slammed the BJP government at the Centre for the “rising intolerance” and the imposition of a “skewed vision” of history. She was addressing a function where environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhatt was accorded the Indira Gandhi Award for National integration. October 31 marks the day when former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was brutally assassinated. The Congress president also alleged that falsehood was being spread, which was the antithesis of the foundations of India.  

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Sonia Gandhi said, "Today we see rising intolerance, rising violence. A skewed vision of our history and society is being imposed along with falsehood and unscientific ideas. All this is the antithesis of liberal, secular and democratic foundations of our country. The fundamental assumption that guided our freedom struggle and inspired our country after independence is now being called into question.” 

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'Vision of national integration was all-encompassing'

Gandhi also remarked that the former PM consistently strived for national integration but did not associate unity with uniformity like the current regime. Moreover, she stated that Indira Gandhi recognised the country’s diversity and understood the need for equity and inclusiveness. While highlighting her contribution towards national integration, Sonia Gandhi pointed out that the former PM was keen on the preservation of biodiversity.  

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The Congress president opined, "She was fiercely wedded to strengthening the bonds of political and cultural unity. She believed in accommodating, respecting and celebrating our many diversities. She also recognised that without just economic and social policies that actively promoted equity and inclusiveness, India could not develop and prosper. Her vision of national integration was all-encompassing, helping the disadvantaged, and ensuring that no section of Indian society was excluded on the basis of caste or creed.” She added, "If national integration was one of Indira Gandhi's passions, the preservation of India's rich and wonderful biodiversity was a vision far ahead of its time.” 

(With ANI inputs)

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