Ahead of its ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan’ rally in Belagavi, Karnataka, the Congress party on Monday accused the Constitution of India of being under siege and reiterated its demand that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat must apologise for his “anti-national statement” regarding India’s freedom movement. The rally, which was initially scheduled for December 27, 2024, but postponed due to the passing of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, is set to take place on January 21, 2025.
In a statement on social media platform X, Congress General Secretary for Communications, Jairam Ramesh, recalled that Belagavi was historically significant as the location where Mahatma Gandhi assumed the presidency of the Indian National Congress on December 26, 1924. He stressed that the rally is a reaffirmation of Congress’ commitment to the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
“Mahatma Gandhi is being insulted. Dr. Ambedkar is being attacked. The Constitution of India and its values are under assault,” Ramesh stated, reflecting the party’s strong stance ahead of the rally. The event in Belagavi will be followed by another rally at Mhow — Dr. Ambedkar’s birthplace — on January 27, 2025, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Constitution and the founding of India’s republic.
Ramesh also demanded an apology from Mohan Bhagwat, accusing him of delivering an “atrocious, anti-national” statement regarding the freedom movement during a recent speech. Bhagwat had controversially stated that India’s “true independence” was established on the day of the Ram temple’s consecration in Ayodhya, claiming that the country had faced centuries of “para chakra” (enemy attacks) and that the consecration marked the true moment of independence.
The Congress party swiftly condemned Bhagwat’s comments, with Ramesh calling for an apology, labeling the statement as “anti-national.” The party also continued to target Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding that he resign and apologise for his remarks in Parliament on December 17, 2024, which the Congress claims insulted Dr. Ambedkar and his legacy.
Last week, Ramesh had already slammed Bhagwat’s statements, calling them an affront to India’s history and its struggle for independence. The Congress leadership, in a strong and unified voice, has continuously accused the BJP and RSS of undermining the values championed by Ambedkar, especially in light of Shah’s controversial comments during a Rajya Sabha debate on the Constitution.
The Mhow rally on January 27 will commemorate not only the 75th anniversary of India’s Constitution but also address what Congress views as ongoing attacks on the legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar by the current ruling regime. The party has warned that these events will highlight the growing concerns over the BJP’s attitude toward the Constitution and the ideals that it represents.
Following the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh on December 26, the Congress party had announced a seven-day period of mourning, cancelling all official programs, including the foundation day celebrations. Singh, who was 92, was a key figure in shaping India’s modern economic landscape, and his death marked a significant moment in Indian politics.
The Congress party’s rallies are shaping up to be a strong statement in defense of the Constitution and a call for accountability from those whom the party accuses of undermining its core values.
