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Rahul Gandhi's speech in the Lok Sabha delivered a scathing critique of the BJP's approach to the Indian Constitution, contrasting the party's public pronouncements of constitutional adherence with the alleged actions that undermine it. His central argument revolved around the perceived hypocrisy of the BJP, highlighting the purported discrepancy between their veneration of B.R. Ambedkar and the Constitution, and the alleged endorsement of V.D. Savarkar's views, which Gandhi claimed prioritized Manusmriti over the Constitution. This rhetorical strategy aimed to expose a perceived fundamental contradiction in the BJP's ideological stance. Gandhi skillfully employed the poignant metaphor of Eklavya, whose thumb was sacrificed to appease his guru, to symbolize the BJP's alleged systematic dismantling of various groups' aspirations and potential. He broadened the metaphor to encompass various segments of Indian society, including youth, entrepreneurs, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, farmers, and minorities, suggesting that their progress and well-being are being curtailed under the BJP's governance.
The speech went beyond abstract accusations and presented specific examples to bolster Gandhi's claims. He cited the alleged targeting of Muslim communities, as exemplified by the Sambhal police firing incident, and highlighted the perceived injustices faced by the Hathras gangrape victim's family. He claimed that the family remained under threat despite the passage of four years since the incident and criticized the lack of relocation assistance promised to them. These examples served not merely as isolated incidents, but as illustrative instances of a larger pattern of alleged governmental failure to protect vulnerable communities and uphold the constitutional principles of justice and equality. By emphasizing these incidents, Gandhi sought to paint a picture of a government that prioritizes certain groups at the expense of others, thereby deviating from the ideals enshrined in the Constitution.
Furthermore, Gandhi criticized several government policies, including the Agniveer scheme and paper leaks concerning examinations, alleging that these actions contribute to the suppression of young people's aspirations. He also targeted economic policies, claiming that the concentration of economic power in the hands of a few large corporations—specifically mentioning Adani and Ambani— harms fair business practices and opportunities for smaller enterprises. His critique extended to the government's approach to reservations for backward classes, specifically condemning the lateral entry into government jobs without provisions for reservation. He concluded his argument by demanding a caste census and the removal of the 50% cap on reservations, framing these demands as a necessary step towards rectifying the alleged discriminatory policies of the BJP government. The strategic use of specific policies and events served to ground his abstract accusations of constitutional subversion within concrete examples for the public.
Gandhi's speech strategically positioned the INDIA bloc as the defender of the Constitution against the BJP, framing the ongoing political struggle as a battle between the Constitution and Manusmriti. By invoking the Mahabharata, he drew a parallel between the epic battle of Kurukshetra and the contemporary political climate, implicitly positioning the BJP as the representative of regressive ideologies and his own bloc as the champion of progressive constitutional values. This framing aimed to garner broader public support for the INDIA bloc, presenting them not merely as an opposition party, but as the protectors of the foundational principles of Indian democracy. The speech was a potent blend of rhetorical strategy, political maneuvering, and direct criticism, aiming to sway public opinion against the BJP and bolster the image of the INDIA bloc as a defender of constitutional values.
Source: ‘Govt making Eklavyas of youth, farmers, minorities’