January 22, 2026

Kharge Protests Against The Government's Policies By Not Being At The Red Fort

By Linus Garg
First publised on 2023-08-15 13:55:42

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was conspicuous by his absence at the Red Fort when Prime Minister Modi was addressing the nation on the occasion of Independence Day. It is customary for the leader of the opposition to attend the function. But the Congress later said that Kharge was not keeping well and was resting. He, however, unfurled the national flag at his residence. He also presided over the Independence Day function at the Congress headquarters later in the day.

Further, in a departure from tradition, Kharge launched a scathing attack on Modi, without naming him. He chose to highlight the achievements of all past prime ministers, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and said that those ruling India today were trying to show that India had progressed only in the last few years under them, thereby negating the achievements of all past governments.

In a recorded video message, Kharge said that democracy was in danger in India now as the opposition was being hounded by central agencies and even the Election Commission was being compromised. "True leaders do not erase history to forge new narratives. They refrain from renaming everything; past programs and infrastructure projects undergo renaming, democracy is threatened by authoritarian tendencies. Presently, even long-standing laws that have upheld peace in the nation are subject to name changes. Initially 'acche din', followed by 'new India',and now 'Amrut Kaal' - are these alterations not an attempt to mask shortcomings?", he asked.