New Delhi: The Congress Working Committee passed a resolution, on Friday, demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe in the matter of purported Whatsapp chats of Republic TV Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami over the violation of Official Secrets Act and breach in national security.
While expressing grave concerns at recent revelations in conversations regarding the Balakot Airstrike, the CWC resolution stated, "It is clear that among those involved are persons in the highest echelons of government and there has been a breach of secrecy concerning vital and sensitive military operations."
CWC also hit out at the Central Government, saying, "The revelations also point to an inexcusable and deliberate subversion of Government structures, scandalous and extraneous influence over Government policies, and a vicious attack on the independence of the judiciary. The shameful compromise of the Modi Government with non-government players has been exposed."
Raising doubts over the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Central Government over the matter, the Congress Working Committee alleged that it underlines their "collusion, complicity and guilt" and even held the Central government accountable for "compromising national security and aiding India’s adversaries".
"The CWC demands a time-bound investigation by a Joint Parliamentary Committee to enquire into the breach of national security, violations of the Official Secrets Act and the role of the persons involved. Ultimately, those who are guilty of treasonous behaviour must be brought before the law and punished," the resolution stated.
Earlier today, Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi also mentioned this matter during her opening remarks in CWC meeting, where she said, "Those who give "certificates of patriotism and nationalism" to others now stand exposed."
On Covid vaccine
In another resolution, CWC calls upon the Central government to take all steps necessary to overcome the hesitancy amongst front-line health professionals on Covid-19 vaccination.
"To a large extent, this hesitancy is on account of the blatant politicisation of the regulatory process in order to boost the image of the Prime Minister. The CWC believes that the vaccination programme should be conducted in a manner that enhances public confidence and trust. Time, numbers and avoidance of wastage are critical. Apart from front-line health professionals, the state governments should be given the option of laying out a state-specific order of beneficiaries, so that the vaccination programme is taken forward with utmost speed and efficiency," the resolution read.
Concerning over the lack of clarity about the availability of the Corona Vaccine for India’s population as well as the non-availability of a timeline laid out by the Government for vaccination beyond the first 3 crore people, the CWC demanded that India’s under-privileged, disadvantaged and marginalised sections, particularly the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Other Backward Classes and poor, should be administered the vaccine free of charge and within a time-bound period.
The CWC places on record its deep appreciation and gratitude to India’s scientists and researchers who worked tirelessly to develop the Corona Vaccine in a record time.
CWC also expressed its dismay over reports that the Vaccine may be sold in the open market at Rs 2,000/- for two dosages per individual. "Such profiteering in times of grave adversity simply cannot be permitted. The government needs to explicitly and publicly declare a clear policy in this regard," the resolution stated. Congress appealed to the people of India to come forward without any hesitation and vaccinate themselves.
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