â€˜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,â€™ 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 BJPâ€™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.

â€˜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 todayâ€™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 Nehruâ€™s participation of Socialist International conference in 1928 in Brussels that came together to fight the imperialism and oppression around the worldâ€™ 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.

â€˜They have not even able to sustain that! he added. Indiaâ€™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 symbolismâ€™ 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.

photo:

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.

Diaspora should fight the communal forces and create a counter narrative: Anand Sharma