Congress Struggles to Convey Social Justice Message Amid EC Directive, Rohith Vemula Protests

The Congress party is facing challenges in conveying its social justice message to intended beneficiaries and potential voters in India. On May 3, 2024, the Election Commission (EC) issued a directive against political parties enrolling or registering voters for post-election beneficiary-oriented schemes, which the Congress party has deemed "unfortunate." The EC order came after a complaint by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which alleged that the Congress's 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee' outreach to people was a "corrupt practice" amounting to bribery.

Why this matters: The Congress party's struggles to convey its social justice message have significant implications for India's political landscape, as it may impact the party's ability to connect with marginalized communities and counter the BJP's growing influence. The outcome of this struggle may shape the country's social and economic policies, affecting the lives of millions of citizens.

Congress national spokesperson Gurdeep Singh Sappal responded to the EC directive, questioning the BJP's similar tactics in the 2023 Assembly election in Chhattisgarh. Sappal pointed out that the BJP had employed a similar strategy with its Mahtari Vandan Yojana, a cash assistance scheme for eligible married women, without facing any objections from the EC. "Yesterday, the Election Commission directed that you cannot distribute your guarantee card and also said that the words 'guarantee' and 'card' will not be used. And this is the same Election Commission, which did not object when people of the Bharatiya Janata Party had filled forms under Mahtari Vandan Yojana [and distributed in 2023] in Chhattisgarh. Why did the EC not have any objection then?" Sappal asked.

The Congress party's struggles to convey its social justice message were further highlighted by protests at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) on May 3, 2024. Students participated in a protest march demanding justice in the Rohith Vemula suicide case, triggered by the Telangana Police's 60-page closure report, which blamed anxiety and fear as the reasons for Vemula's suicide in 2016. The students condemned the report, with Naresh, president of the Ambedkar Students' Association, saying,"The report is outrageous and questions the whole movement."

The incident has raised questions about the Congress party's commitment to social justice, with students and activists expressing disappointment and anger. G. Kiran Kumar, a students' union leader, demanded that the state government appoint an independent fact-finding committee to do justice to Vemula's family members and punish the culprits. Padmaja Shaw, a former professor of Osmania University, criticized the Congress government in the state, saying, "It is a horrible embarrassment for the Congress government in the State that had promised to act differently."

The Congress party's social justice resolution included the enactment of a law called the 'Rohith Vemula Act' to protect the rights of marginalized students. However, the party's key promises, such as providing jobs, generous handouts to youth and women, and ensuring a fair share of public contracts to minorities, are failing to gain traction among voters. The main challenge for Congress lies in figuring out how to disrupt the BJP's social coalition, forged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's advocacy of a Hindutva plus development model.

The Congress party's struggles to effectively communicate its social justice message and connect with its intended beneficiaries and potential voters in India have been compounded by the recent EC directive and the ongoing protests demanding justice for Rohith Vemula. As the party grapples with these challenges, it remains to be seen how it will adapt its strategies to gain the trust and support of marginalized communities and counter the BJP's growing influence.

Key Takeaways

• Congress party faces challenges in conveying social justice message to voters.
• Election Commission directive bans political parties from enrolling voters for post-election schemes.
• Congress party's "Ghar Ghar Guarantee" outreach deemed "corrupt practice" by BJP.
• Protests at University of Hyderabad question Congress' commitment to social justice.
• Congress struggles to connect with marginalized communities and counter BJP's influence.