New Delhi: Marking the 140th Foundation Day of the Indian National Congress on Sunday, party president Mallikarjun Kharge levelled sharp criticism at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, accusing it of a decade-long campaign to dismantle democratic institutions and "suppress people's rights."

Speaking to reporters following a flag-hoisting ceremony at Indira Bhawan, the party's headquarters, Kharge contrasted the current administration with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) era. He credited the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with establishing a robust framework of rights-based legislation, including the Right to Information (RTI), the Right to Education (RTE), and the MGNREGA.

"In the last 11 years, the Modi government has weakened Congress-built institutions," Kharge alleged. He further claimed that leaders of the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, have shown disregard for national symbols like the Constitution and the national flag. "They suppress people's rights, have no connection to the freedom movement, and today are taking away the rights of the people," he added.

The anniversary event was attended by top party figures, including Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

On social media, the party issued a formal congratulatory message to its members while taking a veiled swipe at the Union government’s current trajectory. "The Congress Party fought for India's independence and worked to advance the nation," the party posted on X. "Meanwhile, today, when those in power are promoting hatred, injustice, and oppression in the country, we are still fighting against it with full vigour."

The Indian National Congress was established on December 28, 1885, at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay (now Mumbai). The inaugural session was attended by 72 delegates, with Allan Octavian Hume serving as the first General Secretary and Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee appointed as its first president.

With inputs from ANI