Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday took a swipe at the Congress party and questioned its democratic integrity and adherence to the nation’s constitutional traditions, while pointing to a ‘dictatorial’ boast by a senior party leader.
Kiren Rijiju took to his social media handle on X to highlight the grand old party’s ‘disregard and disrespect’ for the nation’s democratic values and shared a remark by Pawan Khera, Chairman, Media & Publicity Department of the Congress party, where the latter allegedly made a threatening claim that the BJP leaders will be confined to their homes if the Congress govt comes to power.
“If Congress comes to power, BJP leaders will not even be able to step out on the streets,” read the X post shared by Kiren Rijiju, attributing the remarks to Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera. Rijiju further said, “That's why people won't bring such a dictatorial Congress party to power again.
Everyone has freedom of expression, but Congress is literally abusing PM Modi 24X7.” The controversy over alleged intimidation emanated from Congress leader Pawan Khera’s media interaction on June 25, when the nation commemorated the anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, widely considered a blot on democracy.
Congress leader Pawan Khera, when questioned about the Emergency, said, "Let our government come to power. When we will recount these 12–15 years, BJP leaders will not be able to step out on the streets without security. I am telling you this they will need protection even to come out in public."
“Democracy is under threat under the present regime; the media is being muzzled, democratic institutions are being ruined. All this has been recorded and will come to haunt them,” he further said, speaking to newsmen in Odisha. The Emergency was declared in India on June 25, 1975 and lasted for almost two years until March 21, 1977.
It was proclaimed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. During that period, all civil liberties were suspended, the press was censored, and many Opposition leaders were jailed for voicing dissent. The BJP observed June 25 as the Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Murder Day) with many Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of party-ruled states describing it as the “darkest day of democracy”.