Congress accuses Modi govt of assault on democracy over crackdown on 'vote theft' protests
New Delhi, Oct 11 (UNI) Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh on Sunday accused the Narendra Modi government of undermining Indian democracy by allegedly using force against students, young people and Opposition leaders protesting in the national capital against what the Congress calls "vote theft".
In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh alleged that the government was resorting to authoritarian methods to silence dissent, describing the action against protesters as an assault on the foundations of Indian democracy. "The arrogant Modi government's brutal use of force against students, young people and Opposition leaders raising their voices against vote theft in the national capital, and its attempt to silence them through authoritarian means, is an attack on the foundations of democracy in India," Ramesh said.
Accusing the government of showing contempt for the Constitution, the Congress leader alleged that its actions reflected an arrogance of power and a determination to remain in office at any cost. "In its arrogance of power and its stubborn determination to cling to office at any cost, the Modi government has shown utter disrespect for the Constitution," he said. Ramesh maintained that India's democratic strength rested on its traditions of respecting dissent and recognising the voice of the people.
He argued that efforts to suppress these principles for political gain would erode constitutional rights and weaken the country's democratic institutions. "India's strength has always lain in its democratic traditions, respect for dissent and the voice of its people," he said, warning that crushing these values to protect those in power amounted to undermining the constitutional foundations of the republic. The Congress general secretary went further, accusing the government of damaging India's democratic credentials in its pursuit of political power. Describing the alleged conduct as "treason against India", he charged that the government was compromising the country's democratic principles in its determination to remain in office.
The remarks come against the backdrop of an intensifying confrontation between the Congress-led Opposition and the Election Commission of India over the revision of electoral rolls, allegations of voter deletions and demands for greater transparency in the electoral process. Opposition parties have repeatedly alleged that legitimate voters are being removed from electoral rolls and have questioned the manner in which the revision exercise is being conducted. The Election Commission, however, has defended the process, maintaining that electoral roll revisions are undertaken in accordance with established legal procedures. The dispute has widened into a broader political battle over the credibility of elections, the accountability of constitutional institutions and the right of citizens and political parties to protest.
The Opposition has demanded corrective measures and greater safeguards against alleged electoral irregularities, while the handling of demonstrations in the national capital has added another dimension to its criticism of the government. Ramesh's statement reflects the Congress's larger argument that electoral integrity, constitutional accountability and the protection of dissent are indispensable to a functioning democracy. The government's response to the specific allegations raised in his post was not included in the statement.
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