On Cong Foundation Day, Priyanka says country up against an ideology it fought to earn freedom

Virtually equating the BJP government with the British, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday said the country at present was up against an ideology that it had fought during the freedom struggle.

Addressing party leaders during a programme here to mark the 135th Foundation Day of the Congress, she alleged the government wants to "suppress" voices of dissent through fear.

"Today in the country, there are such powers in the government with whom we had a historical clash. We are at present fighting an ideology against which we fought during the freedom struggle," she said at the UP Congress headquarters.

"Today the country is in trouble. If we do not raise our voices, we will be proved to be cowards."
"But the government wants to suppress them through fear. Whenever such situations arise, the Congress rises to the challenge and accepts them. There is no place for violence and fear in our heart."
Targeting
She also said that people from every religion and caste sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle. "The soil of this country has everyone's blood."
She also said, "Those who had no contribution in the freedom struggle, they want to spread fear today in the name of nationalism."
Referring to the anti-CAA protests in Bijnor, she said, "In Bijnor, a 21-year-old poor boy was shot dead. The police forced the family to bury the body (of the deceased) almost 40 kilometres away. They also threatened the family."
Hitting out at rival political parties in the state, though without naming them, she said, "Other opposition parties in the state are not saying much. They are feeling afraid or there is something else, which I don't know. But, we are not going to feel afraid."
Talking about condition of farmers the state, the Congress general secretary said, "They are worried because of the menace of stray animals. The farmers are not getting proper price of their crops including sugarcane. The farmers are crying in the villages."
On the Unnao rape case, she said that the victim's family got continuous threats, and she was set ablaze. The Congress leader also claimed rape incidents are being reported virtually everyday. "Women and girls are feeling afraid to step out of their homes, and there is no one to help them."
Sending a message to the party workers, she said, "If the energy of the youth is important, then the experience of the veterans (buzurg) is also important. I have told every newly-appointed chairman and general secretary of the district units that you should go to the veterans. Learn from their experience, and then associate the youth."
Giving a piece of advice to the party workers, she said, "Until you connect with the public, until you visit their houses, know their pains and sorrow and resolve them, you will not be able to move ahead, neither will the party be able to move forward."