New Delhi, Dec 28 (NationPress) The Indian National Congress commemorated its 140th Foundation Day on Sunday with a flag-hoisting ceremony at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi, featuring the party's senior leadership. Among those present were Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with various senior leaders.

Sharing images and details of the ceremony on the social media platform X, the Congress tweeted: "Congress President Shri @kharge raised the flag on ‘Congress Foundation Day’ in the presence of CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji, Leader of Opposition Shri @RahulGandhi, and senior Congress leaders. Together, we must spread the Congress’s vision and ideology to every citizen. It is essential to secure social justice for all and to construct a prosperous India. Jai Hind, Jai Congress."

After hoisting the flag, Kharge congratulated party members on this significant day and offered early New Year wishes. He reflected on the party’s inception, noting that it was established on December 28, 1885, in Mumbai, with millions of Congress workers who sacrificed, faced imprisonment, and endured hardships during the struggle for India's independence.

Kharge honored the freedom fighters of Congress and remarked that the party, under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership, united women, the underprivileged, and people from diverse backgrounds into the national movement. He reminded that the 1931 Karachi resolution of the Congress later served as a cornerstone for India’s Constitution but cautioned that “democracy in the country is presently under threat.”

Highlighting important milestones, Kharge pointed out the significance of celebrating 75 years since the adoption of the Constitution, the 150th birth anniversary of the Constitution, and the centenary of Sarojini Naidu becoming Congress president. He emphasized that while many nations that gained independence around 1947 faltered or fell into dictatorship, India has maintained its democracy, attributing this to the vision and sacrifices of Congress leaders.

Kharge credited Congress administrations for the nation’s transformation through initiatives like the Green Revolution, White Revolution, and the expansion of the automobile and IT sectors. He also commended the UPA era, stating that under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership, citizens’ rights were reinforced, and pivotal decisions during Manmohan Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister garnered global recognition.

Targeting the BJP-led government, Kharge asserted, “In the past 11 years, the Modi government has weakened institutions established by the Congress.”

He raised concerns that “jal, jungle aur zameen” (water, forests, and land) are endangered and accused the RSS of eroding constitutional values, claiming its leaders once rejected the Tricolour and Vande Mataram.

Encouraging party workers to combat these challenges, Kharge called on them to engage with opponents in a civil manner, invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s principle that truth ultimately prevails even without widespread support.

The Congress Foundation Day festivities are being conducted nationwide with programs that emphasize the party’s rich 140-year legacy.