At a powerful public rally in Hyderabad on July 4, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took direct aim at the BJP and RSS, daring them to try and remove the words “socialist” and “secular” from the Constitution.
“Do you have the courage to do it?” he asked, standing on the stage at LB Stadium during the “Samajika Nyaya Samarabheri” meeting. The crowd erupted in cheers.
Kharge was responding to a recent suggestion by RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, who said that these two words in the Constitution’s preamble should be reviewed.
But Kharge wasn’t having it. He pulled out the RSS’s own constitution and read aloud: “You yourselves have written that you respect the Constitution and its core values — socialism, secularism, democracy. Why now this drama?”
He went on to say, “Anyone dreaming of erasing these principles is neither man nor woman. No one has the guts to change the Constitution. And the Congress will never let it happen.”
“Is Manipur Not India?”
Kharge also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on the violence in Manipur.
“People are dying there, crying for help. Are they not Indian citizens?” he asked, questioning the Prime Minister’s priorities. He pointed out that Modi skipped an all-party meeting after the Pahalgam attack and instead went to campaign in Bihar.
In a sharp attack delivered in local Hyderabadi slang, Kharge said: “Nakko kaun bole? Why did you stop the military action on Pakistan? You had a chance to get back PoK. Why didn’t you do it?”
“Indira Gandhi Wasn’t Scared of Anyone”
Kharge compared Modi with former PM Indira Gandhi. “When the US sent its Seventh Fleet during the 1971 war, Indira Gandhi didn’t get scared. She said let them come, and still created Bangladesh. What can Modi do? Just give speeches?” he asked.
He said under Congress, India had friends across the world. “But now even Nepal is keeping its distance,” he added.
“Rohith Vemula Act Should Be Passed”
In a touching moment, Kharge mentioned Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s desire to pass a special law for student protection named after Rohith Vemula — the Dalit scholar from University of Hyderabad who died by suicide in 2016 due to caste discrimination.
He urged Congress governments in Karnataka and Telangana to bring in the “Rohith Vemula Act” to support and protect marginalised students.
“Congress Delivers What It Promises”
Kharge didn’t forget Telangana. He said Congress built 50 central institutions in the state — “What has Modi done for you?” he asked.
“He promised ₹15 lakh in your accounts, right MSP for farmers… Has he delivered anything?” Kharge asked the crowd.
“Indiramma Rajyam Is Back”
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also spoke at the rally, promising that Congress will win 100 Assembly and 15 Lok Sabha seats in the next elections.
Taking a sharp dig at BRS leaders who criticised the Rs 5 meal scheme being named after Indira Gandhi — ‘Indiramma Canteens’ — Revanth said: “These people should be stripped and beaten.”
He reminded people that during Indira Gandhi’s time, lakhs of acres of land were distributed to the poor and Adivasis. “We are bringing back Indiramma Rajyam — rule for the poor, by the poor,” he said.
The rally ended with loud chants of “Jai Congress” and “Jai Constitution,” as leaders urged people to defend the values of secularism and justice.
