Famous for his oratory and firebrand speeches, former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar – along with Jignesh Mevani, the face of the Una Dalit uprising – joined the Congress in the presence of Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday.
While Kanhaiya was given a rousing welcome by Congress workers and activists at the AICC headquarters, BJP responded to the development with its customary “anti-national” jibe, attacking the Congress for inducting a member of the “tukde-tukde gang.”
Kanhaiya, who was in talks with the Congress for quite some time, attacked RSS’ fascist ideology while speaking at the event, calling upon everyone to support the grand old party in the ongoing battle of ideologies.
Invoking a host of freedom fighters and calling for greater unity, the former CPI leader repeatedly said “this is time for urgency”, and hailed the Congress as the only force that “can lead in this ideological war to save the idea of India.”
“There is a battle (of ideologies) going on in India…When you are in the middle of the battle, you do not look for better arms and ammunition…you fight with whatever you have in your hand,” he said, emphasizing upon the pan-Indian presence of the Congress party.
Saying that Congress has very “deep roots” in the society, Kanhaiya said, “I have joined Congress because I feel people who are ruling the country are not merely politicians but (represent) an ideology. They have not only captured power, but they have (are), destroying India’s thinking, tradition, values, past as well as the future.”
Remembering Bhagat Singh, Kanhaiya said, “India needs Bhagat Singh’s courage, Mahatma Gandhi’s unity, and BR Ambedkar’s equality”.
“Congress party is like a large ship. If it survives, all other smaller parties will also survive,” he said.
Jignesh Mevani, elected as an independent MLA from Gujarat, said the country is passing through an unprecedented crisis under the present BJP government. “An atmosphere of hatred is being spread across the country,” Mevani said.
Attacking BJP’s parent organization RSS for destroying the ‘Idea of India’, Mevani said, “Today, I am part of the Congress ideologically, because it is an ideology that can save the country”.
“Copies of our Constitution were burnt down in Delhi…Idea of India is under attack by those who are sitting in Delhi and Nagpur,” said Mevani.
Mevani, however, could not join the Congress formally as he is a sitting MLA from Gujarat.
In reply to a question pertaining to his former party, the CPI, Kanhaiya downplayed the issue and thanked it for showing him the path. Instead, he emphasized upon the need for all to come together to fight the fascist forces.
Congress general secretary (organization), KC Venugopal praised Jignesh Mevani for carrying out a spirited campaign against the BJP and its policies.
WATCH FOOTAGE OF THE EVENT:
