On India’s 76th Republic Day, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge delivered a message that was as much a celebration of the Constitution’s 75th anniversary as it was a scathing critique of the current political climate.

He began by honouring the architects of the Constitution, mentioning Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, B.R. Ambedkar, Subhas Chandra Bose, Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad, and Sarojini Naidu, acknowledging their monumental contribution to shaping India’s republic.

He extended his appreciation to the nation’s armed forces, paramilitary personnel, security forces, scientists, teachers, farmers, and the diverse workforce – including daily wage earners, gig workers, artists, writers, and sportspersons – for their indispensable roles in nation-building and preserving India’s rich cultural tapestry.

However, the celebratory tone was quickly overshadowed by a stark assessment of the nation’s democratic health. Kharge expressed deep concern over what he characterized as a decade-long erosion of democratic principles and institutions. He alleged a deliberate and malicious campaign fueled by religious fundamentalism, designed to fracture Indian society along religious lines.

He claimed that minorities are being systematically targeted, and those advocating for secularism are subjected to what he termed “Goebbelsian propaganda,” a reference to Nazi Germany’s manipulative propaganda techniques. He further asserted that weaker sections of society – Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, the poor, and minorities – are treated as second-class citizens.

The Congress president directly accused the ruling government of political interference in autonomous institutions, asserting that the control over independent bodies is perceived as a mark of power. He claimed that federalism is being systematically undermined, with the rights of opposition-governed states being curtailed.

The functioning of Parliament, he stated, has significantly deteriorated due to what he described as the tyrannical tendencies of the ruling government. Universities and self-governing institutions, he continued, face constant intrusion, and a large segment of the media has been co-opted as a propaganda tool. The suppression of dissent through the targeting of opposition leaders, he argued, has become the government’s primary policy.

The ongoing crisis in Manipur served as a stark illustration of his concerns, with Kharge highlighting the state’s prolonged turmoil and the lack of accountability at the highest levels of power.

He concluded his message with a fervent call to protect the Constitution’s fundamental values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, emphasizing that these tenets are being systematically undermined by what he called an authoritarian regime.

He urged citizens to be prepared to make sacrifices to defend the Constitution, viewing this as a fitting tribute to their ancestors. His statement ended with the powerful slogan: “Jai Bapu, Jai Bheem, Jai Samvidhaan. Jai Hind.”

The 76th Republic Day is celebrated on January 26, commemorating the day its Constitution came into effect in 1950. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his greetings, emphasising the significance of preserving the Constitution’s core principles of democracy, dignity, and unity.

He paid tribute to the architects of the Constitution, acknowledging their instrumental role in shaping India’s democratic journey. His message on X expressed hope that the day would reinvigorate efforts to build a stronger and more prosperous nation, firmly rooted in the ideals enshrined in the Constitution.

“Happy Republic Day. Today, we celebrate 75 glorious years of being a Republic. We bow to all the great women and men who made our Constitution and ensured that our journey is rooted in democracy, dignity and unity,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

“May this occasion strengthen our efforts towards preserving the ideals of our Constitution and working towards a stronger and prosperous India,” the Prime Minister said.

The celebrations, held at Kartavya Path, were a spectacular display of India’s rich diversity, its remarkable progress, and its powerful military. President Droupadi Murmu presided over the event, with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto gracing the occasion as the chief guest. The meticulously planned parade, showcasing India’s cultural heritage and military might, commenced at 10:30 AM and lasted approximately 90 minutes.

Before joining the festivities, Prime Minister Modi paid his respects at the National War Memorial, honouring the sacrifices of fallen soldiers. This poignant tribute underscored the nation’s gratitude for those who defended its sovereignty and security.

The Republic Day parade, a vibrant tapestry of India’s national identity, served as a testament to its democratic spirit, its unwavering unity, and its remarkable journey as a nation. The event was a fitting tribute to the nation’s founding fathers and a symbol of its continued progress and aspirations.

26/11 Mumbai attack convict Tahawwur Hussain Rana has lost his appeal in the US Supreme Court against being extradited to India on Tuesday, the day after US President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term.

Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian national, is wanted in India for the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. This was possibly his last chance to avoid extradition to India. He had lost cases in federal courts, including the US Court of Appeals for the North Circuit in San Francisco.

Rana is detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.

Earlier, the US government argued in the US Supreme Court that Rana’s petition for a writ of certiorari should be denied. US Solicitor General Elizabeth B Prelogar said Rana was not entitled to relief from extradition to India in this case.

She said the US government’s case against Rana does not cover the grounds on which India wants him to be extradited and be tried. She said the forgery charges against him for giving false information while seeking clearance to open an immigration centre branch was not covered in the US case against him. The US had indicted him for conspiracy charges and his conviction here doesn’t mean all the charges India wishes to accuse him of have been already death with the jury in the US.

Rana, a retired doctor in the Pakistan Army, migrated to Canada after his retirement. The Pakistan military utilizes retired personnel for covert action. Rana is a link to Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. A total of 166 people, including six Americans, were killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which 10 Pakistani terrorists laid an almost three-day siege, attacking iconic and vital locations.