INDIA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said his slogan of 'Congress-free India' was not about eliminating the main opposition party politically but about ridding the country of the "Congress culture"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said his slogan of 'Congress-free India' was not about eliminating the main opposition party politically but about ridding the country of the "Congress culture" which he termed as casteist, dynastic, corrupt and involving total control over power among other ills.
Maintaining that the Congress has been the "main pillar" of politics in the country that spread its culture to all political parties, he told Times Now in an interview that his call for "Congress mukt" or 'Congress-free India' was "symbolic" and he wants even the Congress to be free of the "Congress culture", according to the transcript provided by the channel.
He also attacked the opposition party for its objection to the triple talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha, saying instead of indulging in vote bank politics it must get out of this "regressive mindset".
Modi wondered if politics has fallen so low that it cannot look at the legislation from the point of view of women's empowerment.
The prime minister dwelt at length for the first time on his "Congress-mukt Bharat" slogan, which he had coined during his 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign.
The slogan became a popular political weapon, after the Congress was reduced to a tally of 44 seats in the Lok Sabha, and subsequently lost power in many states to the BJP.
It is now in power only in Punjab, Puducherry, Karnataka and northeastern states of Meghalaya and Mizoram. Elections have already been announced for Meghalaya in February.
Modi said in the interview that even though the slogan became famous, the sentiment behind it could not spread effectively, as things are often said in a hurry in the flow of politics.
Modi said that when he spoke of the 'Congress-free India', it was not limited to the Congress as an organisation or its particular unit.
"The culture of the Congress that emerged after independence started appealing to other political parties.
They feel that taking a certain path will prove to be successful; casteism, dynasty, corruption, exploitation, treachery and keeping complete control over power. All this became a part of Indian political culture whose main pillar was the Congress," he claimed.
The Congress at the time of the freedom struggle also had a culture which inspired the youth to sacrifice their lives for the country, he said.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi has used Modi's slogan of 'Congress-mukt Bharat' to attack the BJP, saying he would fight the saffron party ideologically but would never want to wipe it out as it was also an expression of a section of the society.
Modi, however, said that when he spoke of 'Congress-free India', it was not limited to the Congress as an organisation or its particular unit, according to the transcript.
The Congress has spread itself as a culture throughout the country, he said.
"So when I say Congress-free India, it is not related to election outcomes. I would want that even the Congress on its own should free itself of the Congress culture.
"It would be in the country's interest that Congress is also freed of the Congress culture. It's necessary for a healthy democracy. That's what I meant by the Congress-free India," he said.
Referring to the Congress-culture, he said these "shortcomings" were seen in all parties to some extent.
Political parties will have to be saved from this culture and the country's political character will have to be saved, Modi said.
"The coming generations will have to be saved from this culture. So what I am saying is symbolic. My emphasis is not limited to the Congress as a political party," he said.
In an apparent dig at Gandhi over his attack on the Modi government during his recent speeches abroad, Modi said if people go out in the world and say something, then "it's more about revealing the identity of the person than the country's identity".
Taking on the Congress over its opposition to triple talaq bill, Modi said he believed the mistake that the party made when Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister would have taught it something.
In 1985, the Supreme Court had ruled in favour of Shah Bano, a divorced woman who had sought maintenance from her husband. However, following a backlash from orthodox Muslim groups, the Congress led by Rajiv Gandhi had diluted the order through an act.
"It was a move to let everyone live with dignity. Why the Congress was not able to understand this social service is a matter of concern. Has politics fallen so low?...Is the hunger for power so much that they can keep watching innocent mothers and sisters suffer and yet continue with their politics. This is very selfish. This pains me," he said.
The environment has also changed and Islamic countries across the world have also changed their laws, Modi said.
"So the Congress party or any party that indulges in vote bank politics must get out of this regressive mindset and think from the point of view of women's empowerment and respect for women," he said.
The prime minister claimed that the bill, which is likely to be pushed again by the government during Parliament's budget session, was not a political move but aimed at saving Muslim women affected by the practise of triple talaq.
Indian Railway to launch this 'SUPER APP', passengers can now..., know details here
Who is Rashmi Shukla, IPS officer whom EC removed as Maharashtra DGP?
This village in India allows men to have two wives, living under one roof due to…
AUS vs PAK, 1st ODI: Australia beat Pakistan by 2 wickets to take 1-0 lead in series
Singham Again’s sole aim is to entertain, it’s not a Hindutva propaganda
Delhi pollution: 'Why firecracker ban was not implemented during Diwali,' SC asks police, govt
IPL 2025 mega auction likely to be held in Riyadh on these dates
Big update on Reliance Jio IPO as Mukesh Ambani eyes THIS date
EC reschedules UP, Punjab, Kerala bypolls from Nov 13 to...
Coldplay's Chris Martin falls through stage trap door while performing live in Australia
Meet man, who is rising star in Tata Group after Ratan Tata's death, now tasked with...
'Nice handwriting': Internet reacts to Elon Musk's physics homework from his college days
Mithun Chakraborty's first wife Helena Luke dies at 68
AIIMS INI CET 2025 admit card releasing today at aiimsexams.ac.in; when and how to download
Sustainability Meets Innovation via uPVC: Industry expert shares experience
Promoting innovation in engineering education
AP TET 2024 exam result declared at aptet.apcfss.in; steps to check
AI-Powered Development: Insights from industry leaders on transforming software engineering
Another BIG move by BSNL, now set to provide tough competition to Jio, Airtel, Vi by...
Uttarakhand Bus Accident: 36 dead after bus falls into gorge in Almora; rescue operations underway
Bigg Boss 18: Vivian D'Sena accuses Chahat Pandey of pooping on floor, latter loses her cool
One of India's best wicketkeepers set to retire after this season, won't play IPL too, he is...
Research shows awe-inspiring details about Black Holes, they can...
US Presidential Election 2024: Harris vs Trump goes down to the wire, say polls
AP TET 2024 exam result to be declared today on aptet.apcfss.in, when and how to check
Shampoo, tea, biscuits, oil to get costlier soon? FMCG firms caution price hike as...
Swiggy fined Rs 35000 for duping Hyderabad customer by doing THIS
Delhi pollution: Air quality in Delhi-NCR further deteriorates, AQI hits 'severe' level
Indian mission condemns attack on Hindu devotees at Canada temple by ‘anti-India’ elements
'Upar se leke neeche tak...': Bigg Boss 18's Kashish Kapoor, Eisha Singh get into ugly spat
Man grows 500 kg pumpkin, uses it as boat to sail 70 km, SEE PIC
Devotees at Banke Bihari Temple drink AC water believing it to be 'Charan Amrit'; WATCH viral video
Bank Holidays in November: Banks to remain closed for four days in THESE states, full list here
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3: Kartik Aaryan's mother struggles to get tickets, hilarious video goes viral
Mumbai Police arrest Maharashtra woman for hoax death threat to UP CM Yogi Adityanath
Kriti Sanon avoids posing with rumoured boyfriend Kabir Bahia at Mumbai airport, video goes viral
This is world's most expensive house, twice price of Mukesh Ambani's Antilia, it is located in...
SC to hear today Delhi govt's plea against vesting LG with power to appoint...
Viral video: Girl’s sizzling dance to ‘Taareefan’ song earns praise from netizens, watch
Watch: Elderly couple's heartwarming dance at Mohit Chauhan's Patna concert goes viral
This is India’s most expensive wedding card, made from real gold and silver, it costs Rs…
Viral video: Men’s mid-air stunt, twerk on Mumbai local train leaves netizens in splits, watch
Kartik Aaryan reveals details about his new 'girlfriend': 'Her name is...'
Delhi pollution: Air quality worsens in capital, AQI worst in India at...
Singham Again movie review: Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh's high octane actioner
Pune: 35-year-old man killed by speeding car while bursting firecrackers on Diwali, video surfaces
Shah Rukh Khan makes BIG revelation on his birthday, says he has quit...
‘Against the principles of…’: Vijay-led TVK passes resolution against One Nation One Election
Watch: Two Delhi traffic police personnel dragged for 20 metres, case filed
Delhi-NCR pollution: Targeted measures enforced under GRAP for 16 days from...
AUS vs PAK Live Streaming: When and where to watch Australia vs Pakistan 1st ODI in India?
Viral video: Man casually lies on Delhi metro floor, leaves netizens divided
'No justification for..' J-K CM Omar Abdullah reacts to Srinagar terrorist attack
Who is Sunil Lulla, on whom Sebi imposed Rs 5000000 fine for violating market norms?
This bank's UPI services will NOT work for two days in November due to...; check details
Arjun Kapoor's Ravana overpowers Ajay Devgn's Rama in Rohit Shetty's Ramayana-inspired Singham Again
Shah Rukh Khan spotted wearing one of the most expensive watches in the world, it costs Rs...
Delhi Pollution: National capital's PM 2.5 Levels 13% higher than previous Diwali, reports suggest