“A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy”- Rahul Gandhi on Kejriwal Arrest!
Decrying Democracy’s Demise: Rahul Gandhi’s Powerful Critique on Kejriwal‘s Arrest!
DILIP DAIMARY

The Opposition’s Outcry: A United Front Against Political Persecution
In a robust display of political solidarity, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has unleashed a torrent of criticism against the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, following the arrest of Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal.
In a fiery declaration, Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of exercising authoritarian control to quash opposition and endanger the democratic fabric of the nation.

“A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy,” proclaimed Gandhi. This potent phrase emerged in a Hindi message on a social media platform, pointedly criticizing the government without direct attribution.
Gandhi’s comments are part of a broader narrative of the opposition accusing the ruling party of systematically targeting dissenting voices and vital democratic institutions, including the media.
Emphasizing the severity of the situation, Gandhi spoke of a series of alleged assaults on democracy. “While capturing all the institutions including the media, breaking up the parties, extorting money from companies, freezing the account of the main opposition party was not enough for the ‘devilish power’, now the arrest of the elected Chief Ministers has also become a common thing,” he stated, reflecting on the current political climate.
Gandhi, steadfast in his conviction, assured that the opposition INDIA bloc would respond fittingly to these provocations. The arrest of Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate, in connection with a money laundering probe related to a now-repealed excise policy, has prompted a wave of censure from various opposition leaders.
Sharad Pawar, a venerable figure in Indian politics, echoed Gandhi’s sentiments, asserting that Kejriwal’s arrest is indicative of the depths the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would plumb in its quest for dominance. “INDIA stands united against this unconstitutional action against Arvind Kejriwal,” professed the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief.
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), an alliance helmed by the Congress, includes the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the NCP (SP). This political coalition has become a prominent voice of dissent against the ruling party’s actions.

Akhilesh Yadav, the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and head of the Samajwadi Party, opined that the BJP’s intent to alienate opposition leaders from the public sphere stems from its apprehension regarding future electoral prospects. “This arrest will give birth to a new people’s revolution,” Yadav remarked, suggesting a significant political shift.
The Congress president, Mallikarjun Kharge, did not mince words when he lambasted the ruling party for its alleged attempts to sabotage the opposition and manipulate democratic processes, particularly with an eye on upcoming elections. “The arrogant BJP, which makes false claims of victory every day, is trying to weaken the opposition by all means and illegal means before the elections,” Kharge argued.
If the BJP was genuinely confident about its electoral success, Kharge reasoned, it would not have resorted to freezing the financial accounts of the Congress Party by allegedly misusing constitutional institutions.

Sitaram Yechury, leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), condemned Kejriwal’s arrest, suggesting that Modi and the BJP are in a state of alarm due to the public’s rejection during ongoing elections.
“All opposition leaders who defected and joined the BJP are protected and patronised. They are the ‘Satya Harishchandras’! These arrests will only cement people’s desire to defeat BJP, defend democracy and Indian Constitution,” Yechury affirmed, alluding to the tale of a legendary Indian king known for his unwavering commitment to truth.
The collective uproar from the opposition is not merely a reaction to Kejriwal’s arrest; it reflects a deeper concern about the perceived erosion of democratic principles and the rule of law. With these powerful voices rising in unison, the narrative unfolding in India is one of a democratic resistance against what is seen as an authoritarian tide.

As India navigates through these turbulent political waters, the opposition’s call for unity and defense of democratic values resonates with a significant segment of the population. As the world’s largest democracy, the outcomes of these confrontations will be closely watched and will likely have profound implications for the nation’s political trajectory.
While the government maintains that its actions are lawful and in line with its anti-corruption stance, the opposition’s condemnation of Kejriwal’s arrest showcases the deepening fault lines within Indian politics, and the persistent struggle to balance power, law, and the principles of democracy.
21-03-2024
Images from different sources
Mahabahu.com is an Online Magazine with collection of premium Assamese and English articles and posts with cultural base and modern thinking. You can send your articles to editor@mahabahu.com / editor@mahabahoo.com (For Assamese article, Unicode font is necessary)