Jaipur, July 8 (IANS) Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra has launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janat Party (BJP)-led state government over the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), alleging that the public consultation process is being used to advance the BJP-RSS agenda and divert attention from governance failures rather than seeking genuine public opinion.
Addressing a press conference at the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee’s State War Room on Tuesday, Dotasra questioned the state government’s decision to begin public hearings on the UCC without first releasing a draft or defining the scope of the consultations.
“The state government has neither prepared a draft nor clarified the framework of these hearings. The exercise is aimed at creating social divisions instead of addressing the real issues affecting the people of Rajasthan,” he alleged.
Dotasra claimed the committee constituted to examine the UCC was dominated by individuals associated with the RSS and questioned the appointment of retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to lead similar committees in multiple states.
“If one person was to oversee this exercise across states, the Centre should have undertaken it nationally instead of weakening the federal structure,” he said.
The Congress leader accused the BJP of using emotive issues to avoid accountability on governance.
He asked why the state government was not holding similar public hearings on drinking water shortages, power supply, rising crime, deteriorating roads, farmers’ concerns, healthcare failures, unemployment and inflation.
“Why is there no public consultation on the everyday problems of citizens? People are struggling with water scarcity, crime, poor roads, inadequate healthcare and a lack of employment opportunities. Also women are dying of kidney failures in governmnet hospitals post deliveries but the government wants to debate issues that polarise society,” the State Congress President said.
Referring to the functioning of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma-led Rajasthan government, Dotasra alleged that the Chief Minister was spending more time in Delhi than addressing the state’s problems.
He also criticised the state government’s performance on agriculture, infrastructure and public services, claiming the BJP had failed to fulfil its promises towards farmers and youth.
Escalating the political attack, Dotasra accused the BJP of attempting to weaken democratic institutions and constitutional values.
He alleged that the BJP sought a two-thirds Parliamentary majority to alter constitutional safeguards, undermine federalism, suppress dissent, and weaken reservations and secularism.
“The BJP is moving the country towards authoritarianism. Its actions are against the spirit of democracy and the Constitution,” the State Congress President alleged.
Dotasra also criticised the BJP over recent political developments in various states, alleging attempts to destabilise elected governments and misuse constitutional institutions for political gain.
He said the Congress would strongly oppose what he described as the BJP’s “divisive and anti-Constitutional agenda” and continue to raise issues related to governance, public welfare and democratic rights.
–IANS
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