The fact that not BJP/RSS members, but fellow Congressmen were opposing Pranab Mukherjee should compel the Congress to look within before preaching constitutional values to others.
“When you point one finger, there are three fingers pointing back to you.” Today, this line fits most well on Congress. While the party has, on numerous occasions, accused its political rival BJP and its parent organization of “Double Standards”, yesterday’s event just proved that Congress needs to take a hard look at itself first.
Since, the day news of former President of India and Senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee attending the RSS event broke out, a wave of discomfort and panic spread across Congress. Though a Congress leader attending an RSS event (given the constant attack by the party on RSS) came as a surprise to many, the reaction of several Congress leaders was even more surprising.
Congress MP and Sonia Gandhi’s confidante Ahmed Patel tweeted, “I did not expect this from Pranab Da!” He was referring to Pranab Mukherjee’s decision to accept the invitation of RSS. Another Congress leader, Abhishek Manu Singhvi tweeted that Mukherjee’s decision is highly debatable and personal. Minutes before Mukherjee’s scheduled speech in Nagpur, Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma tweeted, “The images of Pranab Da, veteran leader and ideologue at RSS Headquarters have anguished millions of Congress workers and all those who believed in pluralism, diversity and the foundational values of the Indian Republic.” Not only these leaders, even Pranab Mukherjee’s own daughter and Delhi Congress Women Wing’s chief Sharmishtha Mukherjee too criticized him for attending the event. The Congress’ unhappiness with his decision was evident from the flak he received for over two days from within his own party.
I did not expect this from Pranab da ! https://t.co/VBqXZ8x7SE
— Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) June 6, 2018
Pranabda’s decision highly debatable. And personal. #PranabAtRSS. For eg. if I was asked I would not have gone. Diff to say that cos of that he shd not have gone! But One thing is clear. Having now gone, v need 2 analyse each word he says and not his mere going.
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) June 7, 2018
However, the tone changed only after his speech. During his speech at the event, Pranab Mukherjee not only emphasized on the importance of “Secularism” but also invoked the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. His speech was even hailed as the one snubbing RSS in its home turf. Congress which was earlier anxious about Mukherjee’s decision was quick enough to get into damage control mode. Soon after the speech, Congress Chief Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala held a press conference and said that Pranab Da’s speech “showed a mirror to the RSS”. He even advised that RSS should learn from him.
However, the real question is, shouldn’t Congress be the one looking into the mirror? What was even more deplorable was the same congressmen who criticized Mukherjee, started hailing his decision. Anand Sharma, who earlier said that his decision has anguished Congress workers, praised him saying that he emerged proud and taller from Nagpur. Abhishek Singhvi took a pride in him saying, “He is the first ex-Congressman to preach some lessons to RSS”. The change in tone does not only expose Congress’ double standards but also reeks of hypocrisy. The party which takes a moral high ground during debates on freedom of Expression and intolerance, why was the tolerance pushed under the sheets? The fact that not BJP/RSS members, but fellow Congressmen were opposing Pranab Mukherjee should compel the Congress to look within before preaching constitutional values to others.
Pranam Pranab da, you have emerged proud and taller from Nagpur. There was never any doubt about your strength of character, moral courage, conviction and commitment to uphold the secular constitutional democracy.
— Anand Sharma (@AnandSharmaINC) June 8, 2018
V happy that My stand from day one fully vindicated viz don’t judge a man by the invitation or the host’s identity but by wht he says and does at the event. repeated this & pranabda’s address fully vindicates this view. He Is first ex congman to preach some lessons to RSS
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) June 7, 2018
Since 1969, Pranab Mukherjee has been with Congress. From being Indira Gandhi’s most trusted lieutenants to serving in different ministries like finance, defense, and external affairs, he remained a true Congressman. When Congress does not even trust its most seasoned leader, doesn’t it implicate that it distrusts its own ideology?
At a time when the parliament-which is supposed to conduct debates and exchange ideas, is barely functioning, RSS chief inviting Pranab Mukherjee and the congressman going to ideological rival’s platform and expressing his view reminds us a true form of democracy. A democracy, that thrives on giving space and respect to opposing ideologies and views. A democracy, that does not barre opposing ideologies to come together on the same platform.
Yesterday, on the dais in Nagpur Pranab Mukherjee and Mohan Bhagwat definitely emerged taller but Congress fell flat on its face.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
