'People afraid to speak on phone': Tharoor's jab at BJP

'People afraid to speak on phone': Tharoor's jab at BJP
03 May 2024

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, alleging that India's democratic fabric is under threat.

Speaking at a gathering in South Goa's Verna, he stated that citizens are living in fear of their private conversations being monitored by the government.

Tharoor urged voters to consider the kind of India they want for future generations, questioning if they would prefer a nation where freedom of expression could potentially lead to repercussions.

Tharoor challenges BJP's vision of India
Vision questioned

"Or do you want, instead, an India where people are free to express their views, to eat what they want, to dress as they wish, to love whom they like?" he asked.

Presenting a different picture from the aforementioned, he asked if people are prepared to accept a government that feels it has a place in people's bedroom, kitchen, safe, or dining room.

"Because that's the kind of government we have in India today," he said.

Tharoor accuses BJP of endorsing uniformity
Accusations made

He also addressed the BJP's slogan, 'ab ki baar 400 paar,' questioning its necessity.

Tharoor speculated that the slogan could be an attempt to amend the Constitution. He accused the party of endorsing a uniform idea of India with their 'Hindi, Hindutva, Hindustan' slogan, promoting one nation, one election, one party, one leader, one religion, and one God.

Furthermore, he claimed that autonomous institutions meant to safeguard democracy have been stripped of their autonomy.

Tharoor was campaigning for Captain Viriato Fernandes
Viriato Fernandes

The Thiruvananthapuram MP was campaigning for Captain Viriato Fernandes, the Congress's Lok Sabha candidate from South Goa.

South Goa will vote in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 7. The results will be declared on June 4.

This election, Tharoor will go up against BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Communist Party of India (CPI)'s P Raveendran in Thiruvananthapuram.