(L-R) C Apok Jamir, S Supongmeren Jamir, Christopher Tilak
and Capt. GK Zhimomi addressing a press conference in Kohima on Monday. (EM
Images)
KOHIMA — The Nagaland Pradesh Congress
Committee (NPCC) on Monday launched the ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ (Save the
Constitution) campaign, a nationwide initiative of the Congress party to
“safeguard constitutional values and promote social justice.”
The campaign comes amidst growing concerns over the alleged
misuse of central agencies, particularly the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and
the ongoing National Herald case.
At a press conference at Congress Bhavan in Kohima, Congress
leaders including AICC secretary Christopher Tilak, NPCC president S
Supongmeren Jamir, NPCC working president C Apok Jamir and vice president Capt.
GK Zhimomi called for safeguarding the Constitution of India, alleging that it
was under attack by the BJP-led government.
Tilak said that the ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ movement seeks to
educate voters about the evolution of the Constitution, the rights enshrined in
it, and the Congress party’s legacy in safeguarding it over the years.
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He asserted that the Congress is advocating for the
protection of the Constitution because it perceives a great threat from the
BJP, which is ideologically driven by the RSS.
Tilak alleged that the RSS, founded in 1925 to promote a
Hindu Rashtra, had no role in India's freedom struggle and often collaborated
with British interests. He added that the BJP government has severely
undermined constitutional principles, especially in the northeast, over the
past decade.
Citing Manipur as an example, he alleged that democratic
institutions have been compromised, with the home minister overseeing the state
under the guise of President's Rule.
Against this backdrop, Tilak emphasised the importance of
re-educating citizens, mobilising people, and building awareness to safeguard
the Constitution.
Apok Jamir said that the event aims to address the growing
infringement on the Constitution. He emphasised that the 'Samvidhan Bachao'
movement seeks to raise awareness about the erosion of constitutional
principles.
He alleged that the Enforcement Directorate's actions
against senior Congress leaders, without valid grounds, amount to political
victimisation and a direct infringement of individual rights.
He cautioned that such trends are dangerous and reaffirmed
the Congress Party's commitment to upholding people’s rights and opposing
policies that undermine the Constitution.
Supongmeren Jamir claimed that the BJP-led government has
been functioning under RSS influence, which, he said, is opposed even by devout
Hindus.
He said the BJP is systematically trying to disrupt the
Constitution by proposing measures such as ‘one card, one nation’, ‘one
election’, ‘one language’, and ‘one religion’, starting with the Uniform Civil
Code (UCC), which affects marriage, divorce, and inheritance across all
religions.
He also argued that the recent Waqf Amendment Act encroaches
on religious properties.
The NPCC president warned that similar influences are
seeping into Nagaland, citing the April 13 transfer of top officials on Palm
Sunday, allegedly driven by RSS ideology.
He asserted that the people of Nagaland must resist any
attempt to let the state government function under the RSS’s directives.
“We want to maintain the sanctity of Christianity in our
state. We respect all religions. Our state should not allow actions that hurt
religious sentiments or destroy the sanctity of Christianity,” Jamir added.
Capt. Zhimomi said that the federalism that has defined
Indian democracy for the last seven decades is being dismantled “brick by
brick.”
Citing instances where Parliament functioning has been
hampered, including muting of microphones when opposition MPs tried to speak,
suspension of MPs, and bills being pushed through without proper debate,
Zhimomi said these actions are tantamount to pushing a singular ideological
agenda.
“This is nothing but
subverting and dismantling the Constitution that has given India its democracy
for the last seven decades,” he said.
