Congress launches nationwide 'Save Constitution' campaign

NEW DELHI: Congress will observe a two-month long nationwide "samvidhan rakshak abhiyaan" that would target the BJP regime for "dilution of the foundations of the Constitution, and undermining of social justice, equality, democracy", with the campaign to conclude on the Republic Day 2025.

Ahead of the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly, spokesman Jairam Ramesh quoted from Ambedkar's speech lauding the Congress that "it is entitled to all the credit for the smooth sailing of the Draft Constitution in the Assembly', and added, "While Dr Ambedkar's handsome tributes to the Congress were still resonating, on Nov 30, 1949, the RSS mouthpiece Organiser attacked the Constitution of India saying it had not drawn inspiration from Manusmriti, and carried a bitter condemnation of Dr Ambedkar himself on Jan 11, 1950 - days before the Republic of India was born."

Congress directed its state units to undertake extensive public outreach to sensitise the people about the "violations" by the ruling BJP. Calling it a targeted campaign, the AICC's blueprint of the campaign is focused on five Constitutional themes that the states have been directed to highlight - caste census and "BJP's attacks on the reservation system", policies that have worsened the conditions for SC/ST/OBC/Minorities/DNT/women, "BJP's divisive politics targetting minorities/SC/ST/OBC", favouritism towards crony businessmen, and attacks on free speech, misuse of agencies, erosion of democratic values.

An AICC directive by general secretary K C Venugopal instructed that the organisation down to the block level should be mobilised in carrying out a wide outreach through rallies, door to door visits, media engagement and grassroots discussions. "The campaign should resonate with the people in your state," it said.