Silence on matters of serious concern defining feature of BJP government's tenure: Sonia Gandhi

Attacking the ruling BJP for "stubbornly" refusing a Parliamentary debate on a "significant national challenge" like the India-China border, top Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said the Narendra Modi government's “silence on matters of serious concern” has become its "defining feature".

Sonia, who addressed the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting, also referred to the "troubling new development" of a "calculated attempt to delegitimise" the judiciary by enlisting ministers and even a high constitutional authority to speak against it. She was referring to remarks made by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and Law Minister Kiren Rijiju.

Soon after Sonia made her remarks, around a dozen Opposition parties, including Congress, DMK, RJD, CPI(M), NCP, Shiv Sena (Thackeray) and CPI, gathered at Gandhi Statue in Parliament to raise their protest against not allowing a discussion on China. In Lok Sabha, Opposition parties also staged a walkout in protest.

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In her address to the CPP in Parliament's Central Hall, Sonia said the whole country stands with the soldiers who repelled the "continuing incursions" by China under difficult conditions.

She said the government’s stubborn refusal of a debate has led to Parliament, parties and people remaining ignorant of the “true situation on the ground”. When facing a “significant national challenge”, she said that it has been the tradition to bring Parliament into confidence, as a debate can shed light on several critical questions.

"Unfortunately, silence on matters of serious concern has become the defining feature of this government's tenure. While blocking debate, the Government is also actively engaged in targeting the opposition and any questioning voices, manipulating the media and undermining the institutions which stand in their way. This is happening not only in the Centre but also in every state where the ruling party governs," Sonia said.

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She said a “frank" discussion would strengthen the country’s response to China as it would know why the neighbour is emboldened to continually attack us, what preparations have been made, what more needs to be done and the policy to deter China from future incursions.

She also said a debate would bring out the reasons why India continues to have a severe trade deficit with China and why there is no economic response to China’s military hostility.

It is the duty of the government to inform the public and explain its policies and actions. She said the "refusal" to allow a Parliamentary debate on "such a matter of grave national concern" shows "disrespect for our democracy, and reflects poorly on the government’s intentions". This "demonstrates its inability" to bring the nation together, she said.

"By following divisive policies, by spreading hatred and targeting some sections of our society, the government makes it harder for the country to stand up as one against foreign threats. Such divisions weaken us and make us more vulnerable. At times like this it must be the government’s endeavour and responsibility to unite our people, not divide them as it has been doing these past several years," she said.

Referring to the recently concluded elections, she congratulated party colleagues in Himachal Pradesh for their victory and said "now, it is time to fulfil the promises made to the people of Himachal". At the same time, she termed the results in Gujarat and Delhi as "unfortunate".

She said the economic situation continues to be "distressing, despite the government's repeated insistence that all is well".

"The price of daily commodities continue their intolerable rise, placing a heavy burden on crores of households. The inability to provide jobs, especially for the youth, has been a feature of this government's tenure. Even as the Prime Minister hands over appointment letters for a few thousand, crores more face an uncertain future with government vacancies unfilled, exams unreliable, and PSUs being privatised," she said.

"Small businesses, which generate the bulk of employment in the country, are still struggling to survive after the repeated blows of demonetization, a poorly implemented GST, and a mismanaged response to the Covid pandemic. Farmers face rising costs, especially of fertilisers, uncertain prices for their crops, all these made worse by increasingly erratic weather conditions. However, farmers seem to no longer be the government's priority after its misguided attempt at forcing down the three farm laws," she added.