America
Diaspora should fight the communal forces and create a counter narrative: Anand Sharma
‘Since most of the Diaspora in U.S. shares the ideology, values
and principles of the Congress Party, let us recognize the fact that we have a
common enemy; it is the right wing, communal and fascist organization called
Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). It is an ideological battle and India will not
remain what it is, as a great country, if we have these forces of right wing
communalism get stronger,’ said Anand Sharma, the deputy opposition
leader in Rajya Sabha and the spokesperson for the Congress party.
He was
addressing the leadership of the Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC, USA)
at a private meeting held at the United Nations. Mr. Sharma was in New York to attend a
conference organized by the Socialist International Council at the United
Nations. Conceding that Congress may have lost the propaganda war during the
last election cycle, he has vowed that the Party will work with the leaders of
the INOC to attract young people to its fold and to create a counter narrative
to BJP’s massive propaganda effort.
Stating that it will take wisdom, maturity and sacrifice, he has exhorted the INOC leadership to help the party to get better connected with the Diaspora. He further encouraged INOC to focus on attracting the youth to its fold in order to promote a stronger India based on the values and principles that Congress party upholds.
‘In India today, the communal forces are busy attacking and
changing the Educational System; they have infected and infiltrated in all the
research organizations including historical ones; they have said so that they
would rewrite history because they have no contribution to history.
They are
targeting Nehru because Nehru symbolizes what today’s India is! If we
are a democracy the credit goes to Nehru and Gandhi. If you read about the
constituent Assembly, the statement of objects came from Nehru. It was
Nehru who made B.R. Ambedkar the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the
constituent Assembly after asking another congress member to resign in order to
make room for him. If you read the seven volumes of the constituent assembly
debates, each and every issue was discussed as to what India will be.
Nehru was rightly the builder of the modern India and one of the most respected leaders of the world. Yesterday, at the meeting of the Socialist International, when I was called to speak, I was introduced as representing the largest democracy and oldest party and the party of Nehru. We were indeed reminded of Nehru’s participation of Socialist International conference in 1928 in Brussels that came together to fight the imperialism and oppression around the world’ Mr. Sharma continued.
According to Mr. Sharma, on the economic front, Congress has
always followed a policy of equity, justice and inclusive development. It has
brought 140 million people out of poverty during UPA I and UPA II. Despite the
economic crisis in the world, the average growth rate during that time was
7.6-7.9%; increased exports in 2004 from 154 billion dollars to 320 Billion
dollars.
‘They have not even able to sustain that! he added. India’s national income tripled from 24,0000 Rs to 70,000 per capita. We gave a legal right to Education, food security and MGNREGA. It was a Government of pro-poor, that educated children, feeding 160 million children through mid-day meals program by reducing school dropouts. Despite all these accomplishments, we have lost the propaganda war. But today, the economy is not faring any better and farmers are in distress as the BJP Government mostly thrives on empty rhetoric and symbolism’ Mr. Sharma further stated.
George Abraham, Chairman, Juned Qazi, President, Mohinder
Singh Gilzian, Sr. Vice-President, Jose George, Treasurer, Dr. Dayan Naik,
President, Karnataka Chapter, R. Jayachandran, President, Kerala Chapter,
Prasad Kambhampaty, EC member, Harkesh Thakur, EC member and Chandrakant Patel,
participated in discussions.
INOC Team with Hon. Anand Sharma, Deput leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha and Spokesperson for the Congress Party:
George Abraham,Chairman, Prasad Kambhampaty, EC member, Juned Qazi, President, Chandrakant Patel, Harkesh Thakur, EC member, Anand Sharma, Mohinder Singh Gilzian, Sr. Vice-President, Jose George, Treasurer, R. Jayachandran, President Kerala Chapter, Dr. Dayan Naik, President, Karnataka Chapter.