New Delhi, Dec 9 (UNI) In a sharp and compelling address in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday led the Opposition’s push for comprehensive electoral reforms, invoking the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and raising strong concerns about institutional integrity and equality in India’s democracy.
Highlighting the sanctity of the vote as the binding force of the nation, Gandhi said, “Our nation is a fabric which is woven together by the vote.” He underlined that voting is not merely a procedural act but the foundation of India’s unity and strength.
Participating in the high-stakes discussion on electoral reforms, the Congress leader also raised concerns about institutional autonomy, alleging the RSS-led government is capturing key institutions such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Election Commission (EC), and others.
“The RSS is capturing the CBI to attack the opposition and anyone who opposes them…and the third capture is the Election Commission,” Gandhi warned. He questioned the removal of the Chief Justice of India from the EC selection panel and the immunity granted to the Election Commission, implying a decline in institutional checks and balances.
Gandhi recalled the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse, setting a somber tone for his argument. “1948… three bullets pierced the chest of Mahatma Gandhi. Nathuram Godse assassinated the father of our Nation,” he said, emphasising the threat posed by divisive forces to India’s democratic fabric.
Gandhi accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of orchestrating a wholesale capture of India’s institutions. “RSS fundamentally does not believe in equality, they believe in a hierarchy,” he asserted.
Gandhi went on to attack the RSS directly, stating, “The idea that every person in India is equal disturbs my friends in the RSS. They are happy to see the fabric, but they cannot stand the idea that every single person in the fabric of our country, regardless of religion, community, or language, should be equal because they believe they should be on top of that hierarchy.”
The Congress leader’s remarks sparked a brief but sharp exchange in the House when union Minister Kiren Rijiju interrupted, accusing him of straying from the subject of electoral reforms. “The Leader of the Opposition has not made a single remark on electoral reforms,” Rijiju said, drawing murmurs from both sides.
Despite the interruption, Gandhi remained firm on his message. He invoked the symbolism of Mahatma Gandhi’s khadi to emphasise unity and equality, describing India as “a collective fabric where each citizen represents an equal thread.”
Rahul Gandhi’s speech underlined the Opposition’s broader concerns about the preservation of democratic principles, equality, and the integrity of electoral processes in India.
