On Independence Day, Sonia Gandhi hits out at ‘self-absorbed’ govt

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Independence Day said the party will strongly oppose misrepresentation of history for “political gains” by putting icons of the independence movement “on the dock based on lies.” This comes a day after the BJP questioned the country’s first prime minister and Congress icon Jawaharlal Nehru’s role in the Partition of India.

“We have achieved a lot over the last 75 years but what can never be accepted is that the current self-absorbed government is hell-bent on trivialising the great sacrifices made by our freedom fighters and the country’s glorious achievements,” Sonia said in her written message issued by the Congress.

“The Indian National Congress strongly opposes misrepresentation of historical facts for political benefits and putting great national leaders like (Mahatma) Gandhi, Nehru, (Sardar) Patel, and (Maulana) Azad on the dock based on lies,” the veteran Congress leader said.

In her statement, the Congress president also celebrated India’s progress in the last 75 years. She said that the country has left an indelible mark on the international stage in many areas, including science, education, health, and information technology through the hard work of its talented people.

“Under the leadership of its visionary leaders, while on one hand, India established an independent, fair and transparent electoral system, it also strengthened democratic and constitutional institutions. Side by side, India also made an identity for itself for always living up to the ideals of plurality of languages, religions, and communities,” she said.