On Tuesday, Prakash Joshi, the Congress leader, said July 21 Martyrs' Day is a day of tribute for those who lost their lives and an indication of a new political impetus for the party to fight against what he described as “autocratic” governance at both the state and Central levels.
Joshi said in a speech in Kolkata on Martyrs' Day that Congress workers’ enthusiasm reflected the party’s ambition for a political comeback.
VIDEO | Kolkata: On July 21 Martyrs' Day, Congress leader Prakash Joshi says, "The passion and enthusiasm among our workers today show that, while we have gathered here to pay tribute to our martyred youth, this day also marks a fresh resolve for the Congress party to begin… pic.twitter.com/z3p1uBex4k
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 21, 2026
"Our workers’ passion and enthusiasm today demonstrates that while we have gathered here to pay tribute to our martyred youth, this day also marks a fresh resolve for the Congress party to start reclaiming its golden era,” he said.
Joshi also said that the Congress would continue to organize public demonstrations in the coming months.
"In the coming days, you will see the Congress party consistently taking to the streets and fighting against this autocratic government, both at the state and central levels," he said.
Joshi criticized the way in which CJP protests were handled and expressed concern about exam paper leaks and protesting students.
Students, who he said were the future of the country, gathered to demand their rights and seek accountability, he said. Joshi said the manner in which the protesters were dealt with was a serious challenge to democratic values.
He claimed the suppression of the protests amounted to an attempt to curb citizens' constitutional right to peaceful protest and said the Congress condemned the action.
The comments come as political debate over the CJP demonstrations is still in progress; opposition parties have raised questions about the treatment of protesters while law enforcement has maintained that the action by the police was to maintain public order and security.
Congress leaders have indicated that the party would keep raising issues about students, employment, examination reforms, and democratic rights through protests and public outreach campaigns.
The developments are a continuation of political discussions between the opposition and government over public demonstrations and governance issues, and the sides are expected to continue to express their views over the course of the next few days.
