Agartala: The Constitution is under siege, and the Congress won’t stay silent anymore—this was the message loud and clear as party workers in Tripura braved barricades and police resistance to defend what they called ‘India’s democratic soul.’
As part of the state-wide “Save the Constitution” campaign, the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) organised a massive protest rally in Agartala on Tuesday, rallying supporters and leaders to oppose what they allege is a systematic assault on constitutional values by the BJP-led government.
The rally, which began from the Agartala Press Club, wound through key streets in the city before culminating near the Income Tax office at Netaji Chowmuhani. Party supporters carried placards and shouted slogans as they marched in solidarity, demanding the protection of the Constitution and democratic institutions.
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Among the prominent leaders leading the rally was senior Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman, who played a key role in maintaining order as tensions ran high. “We must continue this movement in a disciplined manner. This is a fight to save the soul of India,” he told party workers during the rally.
The situation escalated when protestors attempted to break through police barricades. A brief scuffle ensued between the Congress supporters and law enforcement personnel, leading to police intervention to disperse the crowd. Despite the chaos, Congress leaders went ahead with their scheduled protest meeting in front of the Income Tax office.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Barman launched a scathing critique of the central government, particularly targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “When the 56-inch government came to power, they promised that if one of ours is killed, ten from Pakistan would be taken down. But since 2014, innocent citizens and our soldiers have lost their lives without a fitting response. All we have seen are tall speeches, not action,” he said.
He further accused the BJP of trying to incite religious tensions across the country. “This government is pushing Hindus and Muslims into conflict. But as Atal Bihari Vajpayee once said, India is and will remain a secular nation. Today, that very foundation is under threat,” Barman asserted.
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“The Constitution stands on shaky ground today, while the Prime Minister claims Hindus are in danger. But who holds the power? The Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Defence Minister—all are Hindus. Such narratives are misleading and dangerous,” he added.
He warned that the coming days would be even more difficult for citizens, alleging that the government is deceiving the public. “The true face behind the 56-inch chest has been exposed. The people can now see the difference between truth and lies. Congress will fight this battle with the people beside us because we prioritise the country’s interests. The BJP only serves its party and personal interests,” Barman declared.
Similarly, TPCC President Asish Kumar Saha also addressed the gathering, vowing to intensify the party’s agitation in the coming days. “Congress has always played the role of a soldier in defence of the Constitution. That fight will continue against any injustice. The Income Tax Department froze our accounts before the last Lok Sabha polls, but Congress cannot be weakened by such tactics,” he said.
He accused the government of attempting to rewrite the Constitution and warned that Congress would resist any such move “in the interest of the nation.”
Also present at the protest were senior Congress leaders, including MLA Gopal Chandra Roy and several other state-level functionaries. The protest was part of a broader campaign running from April 27 to April 30, aimed at mobilising public support across the state against the alleged anti-democratic policies of the ruling regime.