In a sharp critique of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Telangana Congress working president T Jagga Reddy on Wednesday raised a fundamental question about the nature of the mandate given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. He questioned whether the people's vote was intended to solve their pressing problems or to systematically erase the monumental contributions of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and the Nehru-Gandhi family from India's historical narrative.
Allegations of Historical Erasure
Addressing journalists at the party's headquarters, Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad, Jagga Reddy launched a direct attack on the BJP's approach towards national icons. He alleged that after consistently targeting the legacy of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, the BJP has now turned its focus towards Mahatma Gandhi. As a prime example, he pointed to recent moves such as the removal of Gandhi's name from the rural employment guarantee scheme, now known simply as MGNREGA.
Jagga Reddy asserted that such steps are not mere administrative changes but reflect a deeper mindset aimed at undermining the legacy of the national leaders who were central to India's freedom struggle. He argued that these actions represent a deliberate attempt to rewrite history and diminish the roles played by these figures in shaping modern India.
Criticism of Parliamentary Priorities
The Congress leader did not stop at historical criticism. He extended his remarks to the current functioning of the Union government, particularly its legislative agenda in Parliament. Jagga Reddy criticised the Modi government for introducing Bills and engaging in debates on issues that, in his view, offer little to no benefit to the poor and marginalised sections of society.
He contrasted the government's current priorities with the sacrifices made during the independence movement, making a pointed personal remark about the BJP's top leadership. "Neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi nor Union Home Minister Amit Shah were born when Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru went to jail during the freedom movement," he stated, underscoring their absence from that era of struggle.
Questioning BJP's Freedom Struggle Role
Building on this historical context, Jagga Reddy made a broader political allegation. He claimed that the BJP, and its ideological predecessors, had no significant role in India's struggle for Independence. This comment taps into a long-standing political debate in India about the relative contributions of different political streams to the freedom movement.
By framing his critique around the mandate given by the people, the Congress leader sought to challenge the very legitimacy of the government's current direction. His comments suggest a belief that the BJP is using its electoral power not for public welfare, but for a project of historical revisionism that sidelines the Congress party's foundational heroes.
The press conference at Gandhi Bhavan, a symbolically significant location, served as a platform to rally the party's narrative against what it perceives as the BJP's attempt to dominate India's historical and political discourse. This incident highlights the ongoing and intense political battle over history, legacy, and national identity in contemporary Indian politics.
