The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, dismissing its nationwide ‘Black Day’ protest as a “theatrical display of hypocrisy” and a strategic attempt to divert public attention from what it described as ongoing threats to India’s democratic fabric under BJP rule. The protest, observed by the BJP on the anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, was met with sharp criticism by the Congress in Arunachal, with APCC President Bosiram Siram calling the demonstration a “political ploy” that ignores current assaults on democracy. “The real Black Day is not a memory from the past. It’s happening right now, every day, under BJP rule,” Siram declared in a strongly worded statement to the press. Marking what they called “Undeclared Emergency @11”, referring to the BJP’s 11 years in power at the Centre, the APCC listed five major areas where they believe the ruling party has systematically weakened Indian democracy. These include:
Attempts to rewrite the Constitution,
Bypassing parliamentary debates and committees,
Erosion of autonomy in institutions like the Election Commission,
Strained Centre-state federal relations, and
Judicial interference through transfers and delayed promotions.
“This regime is not just silencing opposition voices; it is attacking the very foundations of our democracy,” the APCC stated, accusing the BJP of undermining constitutional values while ironically accusing others of doing the same. The Congress also alleged that the BJP has repeatedly used central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax Department as political weapons to harass critics and opposition leaders. According to the APCC, these agencies are often unleashed on dissenters and political opponents, while those who align with the ruling party are spared any scrutiny. “They use agencies to break opposition parties and create a culture of fear,” said a senior Congress leader. “Nearly 20,000 NGOs have been targeted, many of them working for tribal welfare, education, and health.”
Additionally, the statement accused the Centre of influencing the media through ownership pressure, arrests, and editorial control. “State-run broadcasters are becoming mouthpieces, and critical journalism is facing an existential crisis. The RTI Act has been hollowed out,” the APCC added. Touching upon civil liberties, the APCC alleged a rising tide of intolerance under the BJP government. It claimed that dissenters, minorities, and marginalised communities are routinely targeted, with hate speech, vilification of protests, and even the glorification of Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, becoming more visible in public discourse. “This is not the India that our Constitution envisioned,” Siram said. “When peaceful protest is criminalised and hate speech becomes acceptable, democracy is in danger.”The Congress statement also pointed to the now-defunct electoral bonds scheme, calling it a major source of non-transparent political funding. It alleged that over ₹8,000 crore were collected, largely benefitting the BJP, while investigative agencies were used to intimidate those who questioned the scheme. “Leaders are being chased by agencies unless they join the BJP. The rule of law is being replaced by the rule of fear,” the APCC noted.
