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Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury on Tuesday defended her remarks on "civil disobedience" which she alleged is a "legitimate democratic tool" and not something new or controversial.
Speaking to ANI, Chowdhury said that civil disobedience is to challenge authorities who were suppressive and that it was a movement in history. "I don't understand why this has become such a news item. Civil disobedience is not something I invented; it was brought by Mahatma Gandhi. It was the force that we used as a democratic process. It was to challenge the authorities who suppressed us. It was a movement in history," the Rajya Sabha MP said. She emphasised that civil disobedience is an important instrument in a democracy, adding, "What is the issue if we talk about civil disobedience? It's an instrument of democracy... It's a practice that was there in the past. We brought about our freedom and independence with that movement." Chowdhury pointed out that oppression and suppression were taking place under the current ruling party and expressed that it is the opposition's responsibility to ensure that the government does not deviate from democratic norms. "The oppression and suppression are happening with the ruling party... As the opposition, it is our responsibility that the government does not turn rogue," she added. Chowdhury in a conversation on a recent podcast with Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal had purportedly said, "When people recognise their Constitutional rights and take to the streets, there will be civil disobedience in the country." Meanwhile, a day ago, speaking about AAP's setback in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, Chowdhury told ANI, "We were fighting for our place. We were not with anyone. AAP lost the polls because of their ego. This proves what we were saying earlier." "The alliance (INDIA alliance) should remain for the country's interests. We respect them and believe in them. This is the only way where we can stay together to protect the country's Constitution," she added. (ANI)
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