Mumbai, October 9 (Daily Kiran) : Congress leader and Maharashtra Legislative Council member Bhai Jagatap has taken aim at BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, who accused Rahul Gandhi of undermining democracy. Jagatap emphasized that protesting is a constitutional right and that raising voices to protect the democratic framework and the Constitution is essential.
He expressed concern over the ongoing protests against the Election Commission, which have drawn attention from 42 former judges. Jagatap also commented on the upcoming protest organized by the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) at Jantar Mantar on October 10, the entry of Starlink into India, the naming of Jewar Airport, and the student protests by MPSC candidates in Maharashtra.
Responding to Bhandari’s claims about Gandhi, Jagatap stated that the Constitution grants citizens the right to voice their opinions and protest. He questioned why such issues have emerged since 2014 if democracy is functioning properly. He asserted that this concern extends beyond Congress workers to all citizens, urging a serious discussion on constitutional provisions and the role of institutions.
Jagatap referred to a law enacted in 2023, which he claims provides protection to the Chief Justice and the Chief Election Commissioner, questioning whether any individual or institution can be above the Constitution. He stressed that safeguarding democracy is a collective responsibility and that the Congress party will not shy away from its issues due to social media commentary.
On the protests against the Election Commission, Jagatap expressed surprise that questions are being raised about democratic rights and protests within the constitutional framework. He noted that the judiciary has intervened on numerous occasions to protect citizens’ rights and strengthen democratic processes. If public trust in institutions is waning, he argued, it is crucial to understand the reasons behind it.
He highlighted the need for adequate discussion on the constitutional validity of the 2023 law passed after the suspension of 142 MPs. Maintaining public confidence in the judiciary and other constitutional bodies is vital, he added.
Regarding the proposed CJP protest on October 10, Jagatap mentioned that many organizations are raising their voices to protect democracy and the Constitution. He acknowledged the involvement of youth, particularly Gen Z, emphasizing that they are the future of the nation and have the right to advocate for their constitutional rights. He clarified that the final decision on Congress leaders’ participation in the protest will be made by the party leadership.
He stated that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and the party’s top leadership will decide on this matter. He reiterated that Congress will support any organization that advocates for democracy and the Constitution but cautioned against politicizing such movements.
On the entry of Starlink into India, Jagatap welcomed new technology as long as it benefits the country. He insisted that laws are made for the entire nation, not just for one political party, and stressed the importance of following regulations for foreign companies and multinational industries operating in India.
Commenting on the decision to name Jewar Airport after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he expressed no objections but shared his thoughts on the naming process. He cited the example of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat, which replaced the name of the existing Sardar Patel Stadium, suggesting that new projects could be named after prominent national leaders.
Jagatap asserted that naming new constructions after national leaders is not inappropriate, adding that any decisions made by the state government regarding the Jewar Airport’s naming should be respected.
Addressing the ongoing protests by MPSC students in Pune, he noted that students have been demonstrating for eight days over their demands. He expressed his support for the students and mentioned that several Congress leaders are also backing their movement. Jagatap accused some individuals of allegedly obtaining exam papers through bribery, claiming that evidence has been submitted to the CID and that some arrests have been made.
He stated that if irregularities occurred during the tenure of an institution’s head, that individual should take moral responsibility and resign. The future of the students is at stake, and their demands must be taken seriously. He concluded by stating that the students are not willing to back down until their concerns are adequately addressed.
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