Gandhi said that only the Congress could protect the constitution, provide education to the tribals and protect their land and rights. Gandhi, a member from Kerala, addressed two public meetings in 2016 and focused the Bharatiya Janata Party on issues ranging from 2016 demonetisation, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to farm loans.
Gandhi addressed a public meeting in the afternoon on the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Birsa Munda. Notable people from the society participated in the rally. He tried to draw a comparison between Birsa Munda and Savarkar, saying that Birsa Munda was firm in his ideals.
Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary is celebrated as Tribal Pride Day. Gandhi said, “He (Munda) did not move back even an inch. He became a martyr. These are your (tribal) symbols and are showing you the way. Savarkar is the symbol of BJP-RSS. He remained in jail in Andaman for two-three years. He started writing mercy petitions and established authority.
Gandhi claimed that Savarkar wrote a book on himself under a different name and told how brave he was. “He used to take loans from the British, work for them and work against the Congress,” he said.
Gandhi has said that he is the “original master of the country” and his rights come first. Gandhi alleged that the ideals of Birsa Munda were being attacked from all sides by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP. Gandhi claimed, “The BJP attacks the Constitution everyday because it does not want to accept that rights should be given to the dalits, tribals and nexus.”
He said that while the Congress uses the word ‘Adivasi’ for the Adivasis, the BJP-RSS gives them the message of ‘Vanvasi’, ‘Deshvasi’. They (BJP-RSS) say you are not a tribal and you did not live here before. His name (Vanvasi) has been changed, but this is not a small incident, it is serious. They are attacking what Birsa Munda fought for.
Gandhi has said that the Congress claims that the tribals are the original owners of the country. He said, “The country (land) was taken from you, so when it was taken from you, you want some tea back in return. That’s why you want your rights, healthcare, education and benefits in the wealth of the country. How are fake, minority, fake classes protected? These are through the Constitution.
The MP said that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar had drafted the Constitution and the Congress had also contributed in this exercise. Gandhi claimed that BJP leaders at that time had said that there was no need for a constitution.
Gandhi accused the BJP of closing public sector liabilities and privatizing education and healthcare. The Congress leader said, “What if all the government schools are closed? The (disadvantaged) people live uneducated and it is the BJP which will continue this. They are closing all the roads. The doors of employment, education and healthcare are closing.
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