In the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held on Wednesday, party president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his personal displeasure. He said that on the issue of 'purification' program held after his visit to Haldwani, Uttarakhand, many senior party leaders did not openly support him and did not condemn it, due to which he was 'saddened' and 'hurt'.
Kharge said that he was particularly troubled by the fact that many CWC members did not come forward openly on this issue. He told the leaders present at the meeting that he was sad that especially those 'good looking people' who get space in the media, did not say anything on this incident.
What is the whole matter of 'purification'?
Mallikarjun Kharge had gone to Haldwani in Uttarakhand a few days ago. After his visit, a 'purification havan' was organized there. Congress had alleged that the people organizing this program were associated with BJP and this incident shows casteist mentality. However, BJP had distanced itself from this program.
Kharge had also raised this issue in Rajya Sabha. He had said that he never told anyone that he was a Dalit, hence he should be protected or protected. But the 'purification' program organized after his visit in Haldwani made him feel humiliated.
What did Kharge say in the CWC meeting?
Kharge once again raised this issue in the CWC meeting on Wednesday. According to the leaders present in the meeting, Kharge said that he was 'hurt' that all the CWC members, especially those leaders who get more space in the media, did not speak openly on the issue.
AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said in the meeting that Congress had raised the issue and also condemned the incident. However, according to the leaders present at the meeting, it appeared from Kharge's body language that he was not completely satisfied with Venugopal's reply. Kharge did not take the name of any leader. After this, there was only speculation among Congress leaders about which leaders he was pointing to.
What did you say about those who made statements different from the party line?
Without naming anyone, Kharge also said that there are some leaders in Congress who often give such statements or write articles which are not in accordance with the official line of the party. Briefing the media after the meeting, KC Venugopal reiterated Congress' stand on the 'purification' controversy. He said that the incident in Haldwani is 'unacceptable' and 'condemnable'. He alleged that this incident reflects the mentality of BJP.
What was said in 'Cockroach Janta Party' in CWC?
In the CWC meeting, Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar also raised the issue of 'Cockroach Janta Party' i.e. CJP. Kanhaiya Kumar is the AICC in-charge of NSUI, the student wing of Congress. He told the party leadership that Congress should not leave political space for such groups. According to sources, many party leaders agree with this opinion of Kanhaiya Kumar. Congress is still maintaining distance from CJP. However, the party has supported the student protests and linked it to the larger issue of employment.
CJP's name was not taken in the CWC proposal. However, the resolution said that due to sustained pressure from student groups and a united opposition inside and outside Parliament, the Education Minister was forced to resign.
What was the discussion on the issue of American pressure?
During the meeting, Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor also raised an issue. He advised to change the word 'bullying' used in the draft of the CWC proposal in the context of the pressure being exerted on India by America. Kharge and some other leaders reportedly said that the word 'bullying' is not unparliamentary. Despite this, this word was not included in the final proposal.
The final resolution said that the Congress Working Committee is extremely concerned that the Modi government is compromising India's agricultural and energy security as well as its strategic sovereignty in the face of American pressure.
What did Rahul Gandhi say on 'Students' Echo' campaign?
In the CWC meeting, Rahul Gandhi also spoke in the context of student and youth protests and his 'Students' Echo' campaign. According to sources, Rahul Gandhi reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now India's past. However, Rahul Gandhi did not agree with senior leader Manish Tewari's assessment that the anti-Mandal movement of the 1990s was the last major student movement. Manish Tiwari had mentioned in the meeting that movement in which 62 people had committed suicide and more than 100 people had died in police firing. Rahul Gandhi said that the 'Students' Echo' campaign has been a very successful student movement.
Mention of 'students' echo' in CWC proposal also?
The 'Students' Echo' campaign was also mentioned in the resolution passed later by the CWC. It was said in the proposal that this campaign is getting tremendous positive response from the people. Thus, in the CWC meeting, while Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his displeasure over the silence of the party leaders on the 'purification' controversy of Haldwani, many issues related to statements different from the party line, student movements, pressure from America and opposition politics were also discussed in the meeting.