Congress Leader KC Venugopal Challenges BJP’s ‘Quit India’ Rhetoric, Reminds Historical Context

New Delhi, August 10, 2023: Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday for its ‘Quit India’ reference to the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A), stating that the BJP’s political ancestors did not participate in the country’s freedom struggle and even opposed it.

Venugopal highlighted that the BJP’s stance on the Manipur situation reminded him of the ‘Quit India’ call by Mahatma Gandhi during the fight for independence.

Venugopal questioned the BJP’s claim to the legacy of the Quit India Movement, saying, “Did the BJP or their political ancestors have anything to do with the Quit India Movement? They took no part in India’s struggle for independence. The BJP was dead against the freedom movement… There’s no reason why the BJP should speak about Quit India.”

He further criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence from addressing the Manipur situation in Parliament, noting, “We have been asking for a debate (on Manipur) in Parliament in the presence of PM Modi. However, the PM did not care to visit the Parliament even once. The conduct of this government does remind us of Quit India movement.”

Earlier on the anniversary of the Quit India Movement, BJP MPs held a demonstration on the Parliament premises, promoting slogans such as ‘Corruption Quit India, Dynasty Quit India and Appeasement Quit India.’

In response to the BJP’s call for a “corruption and dynasty-free India,” PM Modi tweeted, “Tributes to the greats who took part in the Quit India Movement. Under the leadership of Gandhi Ji, this movement played a major role in freeing India from colonial rule.”

The verbal exchange between the Congress and BJP leaders reflects the ongoing ideological battles and historical interpretations in the Indian political landscape.