Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticized the BJP, accusing the party of attempting to impose a "monolithic idea of India" instead of upholding the diverse values enshrined in the Constitution. Speaking at a public meeting in Verna, South Goa, in support of Congress' Lok Sabha candidate Captain Viriato Fernandes (Retd), Tharoor expressed concern over the erosion of cherished democratic principles.
Tharoor highlighted the pluralistic nature of Indian society, reminiscing about his childhood in Bombay where classmates belonged to various religious backgrounds, yet religion was seldom discussed. He emphasized the essence of India as a multi-religious and multi-lingual nation, where diversity is celebrated.
However, Tharoor lamented the current political climate dominated by the BJP's agenda of "Hindi, Hindutva, Hindusthan," which he argued promotes a singular, homogeneous vision of India. He criticized the BJP's push for concepts like 'one nation, one election', 'one party, one leader', and 'one religion, one god', viewing them as attempts to centralize power and suppress diversity.
Asserting the importance of upholding constitutional values, Tharoor invoked the legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution. He emphasized that India's strength lies in its pluralism and adherence to democratic principles, as envisioned by the founding fathers.
Tharoor expressed his solidarity with Captain Viriato Fernandes, a retired naval officer and Congress' candidate, highlighting the diverse composition of India's defense forces. He underscored the role of individuals from various religious backgrounds in safeguarding the nation, reaffirming the need to uphold constitutional values in the face of growing polarization.
As Tharoor concluded his speech, he urged voters to uphold the spirit of democracy and reject attempts to impose a singular narrative on the country. He called for a reaffirmation of India's pluralistic ethos and a commitment to preserving the principles enshrined in the Constitution.