Congress helped create structures that eroded our civil liberties: Mukul Kesavan

Congress governments have pioneered illiberal laws or were liberal when it came to oppressive precedents authored by others, said Kesavan.

Written by Manoj C G

New Delhi | November 7, 2015 01:51 AM IST

3 min read

congress, Mukul Kesavan, Congress Mukul Kesavan, congress intolerance, manmohan singh, intolerance, narendra modi, bjp intolrance, nation news

The Congress, which has been accusing sections of the ruling establishment of creating an atmosphere of intolerance and fear, on Friday came under attack for its own “dismal record” in defending civil liberties. The remarks were made by speakers during a conference organised by the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies.

“In this current political crisis, when anxious citizens look to political allies to defend their freedom, how likely are they to look to the Congress? Not very likely. Because the Congress in its decades in office has helped create the legal and administrative structures that eroded our civil liberties,” said author and academic Mukul Kesavan during a panel discussion moderated by senior Congress leader Anand Sharma.

This was minutes after former PM Manmohan Singh, in his address, said the nation was deeply concerned at recent instances of “blatant violations” of the “right to freedom of thought, belief, speech and expression by some violent extremist” outfits.

[related-post]

Congress governments have pioneered illiberal laws or were liberal when it came to oppressive precedents authored by others, said Kesavan. He said while Congressmen “rightly condemned” the Dadri lynching and denounced the BJP, it was Congress governments that had passed the first cow protection Acts in several states.

He referred to senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh’s promise to support a nationwide ban on cow slaughter and wondered “how does a party condemn hysterical mob violence over cow slaughter one moment and press for a general ban the next. ”

On the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Kesavan said, “Sikhs in Delhi had neither peace, nor freedom nor even the right to life… We know the issues that define the BJP. What does the Congress stand for? The Congress’s record in the matter of defending civil liberties, our fundamental freedoms is dismal.” He was also referring to the imposition of Emergency and continuance of AFSPA.

Activist Teesta Seetalvad, too, said she was disappointed that the UPA government did not repeal AFSPA. However, she said she would not pinpoint where the Congress has gone wrong, and instead focused on the present ‘environment of intolerance’. She did, however, ask the Congress to return to the fundamental ideals of the Constitution.

Story continues below this ad

Responding to the comments, Sharma defended his party, saying that its ideology was for respecting individual freedom.

Manoj C.G

Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape. Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis. The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage. Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting. Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics. National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections. Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum. Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital. Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief. Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More

Tags:

Congress