Self-obsessed government hell-bent on trivialising freedom fighters' sacrifices: Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday alleged that a "self-obsessed" government is hell-bent on "trivialising" the sacrifices of freedom fighters and the party will strongly oppose such attempts made for political gains.

Gandhi's attack came a day after the BJP released a video narrating its version of events that led to India's partition in 1947 in which it tangentially accused the top Congress leadership at the time and showed pictures of Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

The Congress had also taken a strong exception to the exclusion of India's first prime minister Nehru in the Karnataka government's newspaper advertisement on freedom fighters and termed the BJP action "pathetic".

"Friends, we have achieved a great deal in the last 75 years, but today's self-obsessed government is bent on trivialising the great sacrifices of our freedom fighters and the glorious achievements of the country, which can never be accepted," Gandhi said in her message on India's 76th Independence Day.

"The Congress will strongly oppose any misrepresentation of historical facts and every attempt to put great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Abul Kalam Azad in the dock based on falsehood for "political gains", she said.

Sonia Gandhi said that in the last 75 years, India has left an indelible mark on the international arena in all fields including science, education, health and information technology through the hard work of its talented people.

"Under the leadership of its visionary leaders, while on one hand, India established a free, fair and transparent election system, on the other, it strengthened democracy and constitutional institutions," the Congress chief said.

Along with this, India has made its identity as a leading country that has always lived up to pluralism in language, religion and sect, she added.

Meanwhile, the Congress party had organised a tricolour rally Monday --- Azadi Gaurav Yatra --- which originated from its central headquarters in the national capital. It saw the participation of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra among other leaders.

"The streets of Delhi today experienced Gaurav Yatra of India's independence. This was the vow of Congressmen who came out with tricolour in their hands - they had achieved freedom, now they will also save it," the Congress party tweeted in Hindi after the Tricolour rally.

(With ANI inputs)

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday alleged that a "self-obsessed" government is hell-bent on "trivialising" the sacrifices of freedom fighters and the party will strongly oppose such attempts made for political gains. Gandhi's attack came a day after the BJP released a video narrating its version of events that led to India's partition in 1947 in which it tangentially accused the top Congress leadership at the time and showed pictures of Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The Congress had also taken a strong exception to the exclusion of India's first prime minister Nehru in the Karnataka government's newspaper advertisement on freedom fighters and termed the BJP action "pathetic". "Friends, we have achieved a great deal in the last 75 years, but today's self-obsessed government is bent on trivialising the great sacrifices of our freedom fighters and the glorious achievements of the country, which can never be accepted," Gandhi said in her message on India's 76th Independence Day. "The Congress will strongly oppose any misrepresentation of historical facts and every attempt to put great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Abul Kalam Azad in the dock based on falsehood for "political gains", she said. Sonia Gandhi said that in the last 75 years, India has left an indelible mark on the international arena in all fields including science, education, health and information technology through the hard work of its talented people. ALSO READ | 75 years ago, India showed strength by walking on path of truth, says Rahul; doesn't comment on PM's nepotism jab "Under the leadership of its visionary leaders, while on one hand, India established a free, fair and transparent election system, on the other, it strengthened democracy and constitutional institutions," the Congress chief said. Along with this, India has made its identity as a leading country that has always lived up to pluralism in language, religion and sect, she added. Meanwhile, the Congress party had organised a tricolour rally Monday --- Azadi Gaurav Yatra --- which originated from its central headquarters in the national capital. It saw the participation of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra among other leaders. "The streets of Delhi today experienced Gaurav Yatra of India's independence. This was the vow of Congressmen who came out with tricolour in their hands - they had achieved freedom, now they will also save it," the Congress party tweeted in Hindi after the Tricolour rally. ALSO READ | Check out top quotes from PM Modi's speech on 76th Independence Day at Red Fort (With ANI inputs)