Sonia Gandhi claims BJP has damaged India's democratic institutions
The Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson said restoring democratic systems will require significant effort after the current government leaves office.
Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has harmed India's democratic fabric and institutions over the last 12 years, according to a Times of India report.
Speaking in an interview with The Hindu, Gandhi expressed confidence that voters would eventually seek a return to proper governance. She noted that while people are recognising the damage, restoring systems to health will take considerable time and effort from political parties even after the present government departs.
Reflecting on the 1975 Emergency, Gandhi said that while democratic rights were curtailed and habeas corpus was suspended, the decision was made constitutionally. She suggested former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was struggling to manage widespread unrest, including violent protests and calls for the armed forces to disobey orders.
Gandhi added that Indira Gandhi eventually called for the March 1977 general elections and later apologised for the excesses committed during that period.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal responded to the criticism in Bikaner, Rajasthan, by questioning Gandhi's remarks. He stated that during the 1975 Emergency, democracy was strangled, opposition leaders were jailed, and journalists were silenced.
Meghwal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strengthened democracy. He also noted that the government is prepared to convene a special parliamentary session if the opposition submits a formal proposal for debate.