Mahua Moitra's Fiery First Speech in Parliament

This first-time lawmaker TORE APART the Modi government in her maiden speech in Parliament.

Transcript

00:00There is a danger of fascism rising in India, it is incumbent upon all of us to stand up to it.

00:30There is a powerful and continuing nationalism that is searing into our national fabric.

00:35It is superficial, it is xenophobic and it is narrow.

00:38It is a lust to divide, it is not a desire to unite.

00:42It is xenophobic, sir, there is no room for professional hecklers inside the corridors of this great hall.

00:49There is no room.

00:50People who have lived in this country for 50 years are having to show a piece of paper to prove that they are Indian.

00:56In a country where ministers cannot produce degrees to show that they graduated from college,

01:01you expect dispossessed poor people to show papers to show that they belong to this country.

01:07There is no one slogan that can show any Indian that they are a patriot.

01:12There is a resounding disdain for human rights that is permeating every level of government.

01:17The lynching of citizens in broad daylight is being condoned.

01:21From Pehlu Khan in Rajasthan last year to Mr. Ansari in Jharkhand yesterday, the list is not stopping.

01:27There is an unimaginable subjugation and controlling of mass media today.

01:32Five of the largest news media organizations in India are today either indirectly controlled or indirectly debted to one man in this country.

01:41TV channels spread a majority of airtime broadcasting propaganda for the ruling party.

01:47Every lie that you put out, you repeat and repeat till it becomes the truth.

01:53This is the devil's doctrine.

01:55You talk of naamdaar and kaamdaar.

01:57Let me tell you, the Congress party may have put up 36 dinners since 1999 in Parliament, but the BJP has put up 31.

02:06There is fear pervading everywhere.

02:09The achievements of the army are being usurped in the name of one man.

02:15Is this correct?

02:16New enemies are being created every day.

02:19Religion and government are now intertwined in this country.

02:22Do I even need to speak about this?

02:24Need I remind you that we have redefined what it means to be a citizen.

02:28With the NRC and the Citizenship Amendment Bill, we are making sure it is only one community that is the target of anti-immigration laws.

02:37Members of Parliament today are more interested in the fate of 2.77 acres of land than in the 812 million acres of the rest of India.

02:47There is a complete disdain for intellectuals and the arts.

02:51There is a suppression of all dissent.

02:53Funding is being cut for liberal education.

02:55Everything we are doing is pushing India back to the dark ages.

02:59Secondary school textbooks are being manipulated and distorted in order to indoctrinate.

03:06There is an erosion of independence in our electoral system.

03:10The Election Commission is being used to transfer key officials.

03:1460,000 crores was spent on this election.

03:1750% by one party.

03:1927,000 crores.

03:29If you only would open your eyes, you would see that there are signs everywhere that this country is being torn apart.