Maha Cong attacks Centre on Quit India movement anniversary

On the occasion of Quit India movement anniversary, the Maharashtra Congress today attacked the Central government over "growing" incidents of mob lynchings and "attack" on the freedom of media.

Congress leaders, including state unit president Ashok Chavan, took out a "Tiranga yatra" from the August Kranti Maidan to Mani Bhavan in South Mumbai, to mark the 76th anniversary of the movement.

Gowalia Tank Maidan is a park in central Mumbai where Mahatma Gandhi had delivered the Quit India speech on August 8, 1942 decreeing that the British must leave India immediately or else mass agitations would take place.

Mani Bhavan, located in Gamdevi in south Mumbai, had served as the Mumbai headquarters of the Mahatma from 1917 to 1934.

Chavan said the current situation in the country is reminiscent of the British era before 1942.

"Just like in 1942, unrest is currently prevailing in the country. Incidents like mob lynchings are on the rise. The freedom of press is being gagged. Farmers are committing suicides; the backward classes are being attacked," Chavan said.

He said the BJP-led NDA government should "quit".

Chavan, Mumbai unit Congress president Sanjay Nirupam and other leaders paid homage to the martyrs of the freedom struggle at the August Kranti Maidan.