In a multi-pronged attack on the Narendra Modi-led central government, Congress president Sonia Gandhi has claimed that democracy is at crossroads with its system under assault in India. In an opinion piece in Hindustan Times on Monday, Sonia Gandhi slammed Prime Minister and said, “That the economy is in deep crisis is clear. But what is less appreciated is that all the pillars of a democratic system of governance are under assault.” Sonia Gandhi alleged that dissent is being deliberately stifled as terrorism and added, “The fundamental right to freedom of expression has been systematically suspended through suppression and intimidation. Dissent is deliberately stifled as “terrorism” or branded as an “anti-national activity”. Many institutions that are meant to uphold the rights of citizens and society at large have been co opted or subverted” She writes. Sonia Gandhi also accused the Centre of misusing institutions to target political opponents and civil society leaders. Every organ of State that could possibly be used to target political opposition has already been pressed into service.” These agencies now dance only to the tune of the Prime Minister and home minister’s office, Sonia Gandhi wrote. Targeting PM Modi, Sonia Gandhi said, “Citizens do not cease to be citizens when the party they voted for loses an election. The Prime Minister repeatedly claims to represent 130 crore Indians. But his government and the ruling party are treating political opponents, dissenters, and those who did not vote for the ruling party as second-class citizens without democratic rights.” Sonia Gandhi concluded by saying, “This nation will thrive only when democracy as envisioned by our Constitution and the Independence movement is followed in its letter and spirit.”
