New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge strongly reacted to RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent statement about India’s "true independence."

Speaking at the inauguration of the Congress party's new headquarters on Wednesday, Kharge criticized Bhagwat, warning that if he continued making such remarks, “he would find it difficult to move freely in the country.”

Kharge’s Remarks on RSS and Freedom Movement

Kharge accused the RSS and BJP of failing to recognize India’s independence achieved in 1947. He claimed their ideological predecessors did not contribute to the freedom struggle.

"They never fought for independence, never went to jail. That’s why they don’t remember our freedom. Our people fought and sacrificed their lives, which is why we honor and remember independence," Kharge said. His comments were in response to Bhagwat’s statement suggesting that the day of Ram Lalla's consecration in Ayodhya should be celebrated as ‘Pratishtha Dwadashi,’ marking India's "true independence" after centuries of foreign invasions.

Rahu Gandhi’s Response

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi also weighed in, accusing Bhagwat of undermining the Indian Constitution. "Yesterday, Mohan Bhagwat attacked the Constitution by claiming it does not symbolize our freedom," Rahul said. He reiterated Congress's commitment to dfending the values of the Constitution, contrasting it with the RSS’s ideology.

"There are two visions of India—ours, rooted in the Constitution, and theirs, which seeks to undermine it," Rahul added.

Kharge’s Sharp Criticism of Bhagwat

Kharge labeled Bhagwat's statement as shameful, suggesting it was a refusal to acknowledge India's independence. “It’s disgraceful that even after gaining freedom, they refuse to accept it,” he said. Kharge also accused the RSS of trying to rewrite history to align with its ideology.

The Context of Bhagwat's Statement

Bhagwat had earlier remarked that the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya marked India's "true independence," overshadowing the significance of August 15, 1947. His comments have sparked widespread debate, with the opposition accusing the RSS of undermining India’s freedom movement and constitutional values. A Growing Ideological Divide This exchange highlights the ideological rift between the Congress party and the RSS-BJP.

While Congress champions the Constitution and secular values, it accuses the RSS of promoting a divisive agenda. As Kharge and Rahul Gandhi reaffirmed their commitment to constitutional principles, the Congress leadership underscored the party’s legacy in the freedom struggle. The remarks have intensified the political discourse, with both sides gearing up for further debates in the run-up to key elections.