Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 15: The Congress on Wednesday sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for praising the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in his Independence Day address, calling it a “desperate attempt to appease” the organisation ahead of his 75th birthday next month.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described the mention of the RSS from the Red Fort as “the most troubling element” of the PM’s speech, terming it a “blatant breach” of the spirit of a constitutional, secular republic. He alleged that Modi, “decisively weakened” after the June 4, 2024 events, is now dependent on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s support for a possible extension of his tenure post-September.

The Congress also criticised the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for sharing an Independence Day poster placing Veer Savarkar’s image above Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh. Party leaders Manickam Tagore and KC Venugopal accused the BJP of “distorting history” and “glorifying those who collaborated with the British” while sidelining freedom icons like Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel.

Meanwhile, LoP Rahul Gandhi skipped the PM’s Red Fort address, terming it “same old” and accusing Modi of recycling promises such as the Rs 1 lakh crore employment scheme, which he said had failed to deliver. He claimed the government had admitted in Parliament that less than 10,000 internships were provided under last year’s promise, with most youth refusing due to low stipends.

Party president Mallikarjun Kharge also stayed away from the Red Fort, instead leading the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Congress’s new office, Indira Bhawan, amid heavy drizzle.