Can't let communal forces take over Quit India Movement: Sonia Gandhi

She recalled Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and said he spent many years in prison during the freedom struggle, adding that several Congress workers died in jail.

Emphasising on the role played by the Congress in the Quit India Movement, party president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday took a veiled dig at the Centre and said "public space" is no longer open for free debate.

Speaking at the Lok Sabha on the 75th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, Sonia said India can not be allowed to be taken over communal and dark forces.

"Nafrat aur badle ki rajneeti ke badal chha gaye hain, public space mein behes ki gunjaish kam ho rahi hai (Politics of hatred and revenge is being practised. Debate in public domain is being stifled)," she said.

Without naming the BJP, Sonia vowed to continue fighting and said, "India cannot be your prisoner."

She recalled Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and said he spent many years in prison during the freedom struggle, adding that several Congress workers died in jail.

In a comment that seemed to be aimed at the RSS, Sonia said, "We must not forget that some organizations opposed the Quit India Movement, such organisations had no role in freedom struggle."

TMC's Sugata Bose's remark led to noisy scenes in the house after he said "some parties had betrayed the August Kranti movement", in an apparent reference to the RSS.

Union minister Ravishankar Prasad demanded Bose's remarks to be expunged.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the younger generation ought to know about the historic movement which was one of the most important events in India's freedom struggle.

Recalling Mahatma Gandhi famous line 'Karenge ya marenge', Modi said the Quit India Movement marked the rise of a new leadership and the entire nation stood up to support Father of the Nation.

OneIndia News