On Foundation Day, CM recalls Party’s role in building strong India
By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that the foundation of democracy in India was laid in 1885 with the formation of Indian National Congress (INC) that spearheaded the freedom movement and paved the way for establishment of a strong democratic polity in the country.
In a message on the 122nd anniversary of the Foundation Day of the INC today, the Chief Minister said that the Party successfully led the Nation in the struggle for freedom from foreign rule and in the post-Independence era laid a firm foundation of a secular, modern and democratic India. He said that the Party was credited with steering the country out of the most difficult times and party stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Ali Brothers did the pioneering work in setting the agenda for the country’s freedom and pursed it with conviction and dedication. He said the sacrifices of Congress leadership along with those of the millions of common masses ultimately brought fruit of freedom to the people.
Azad said the Congress Party, right from its inception in 1885 down to the present day, represented a long history of dedicated service to the country. He said the guiding principles of democracy and secularism that make India stand out prominently in the comity of nations today, have been nurtured by the Congress Party whose leaders, both in Government and Opposition, worked hard to make the country a shining example for other nations. He said the firm foundation for the development of the country was laid by Jawaharlal Nehru and subsequently strengthened by Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi whose contribution to industrial, economic and scientific progress was a matter of record.
Describing the Congress as a people’s movement and not merely a political party, Azad said that pursuing its secular agenda the party had always carried along all sections of the society and worked tirelessly for their welfare, progress and prosperity. The war against untouchability and inequality always remained high on the Party’s agenda. He said the history of the Party was a testimony that it always worked for cementing relationship between different communities and put forward leaders of impeccable character irrespective of their religious background. He said that not many people knew that apart from Maulana Abul Kalam Azad who twice headed the Party, as many as seven other prominent Muslim leaders including Badruddin Tyabji, Rahimtulla M. Sayani, Nawab Syed Mohammad Bahadur, Syed Hasan Imam, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Maulana Mohammad Ali and Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari had been Presidents of the Congress during its illustrious life.
The Chief Minister underscored the need for strengthening the Party at all levels, saying its vision and outlook on national and international matters would make India more strong and economically vibrant country.