The Claim

On December 22, 2023, during an INDIA bloc protest at Jantar Mantar against the suspension of 146 MPs, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated, "The BJP government is destroying democracy and the Constitution, crushing Dalits, laborers, farmers, and women."

The Facts

Kharge's statement encompasses several broad claims. Let's examine each with available data: Democracy and the Constitution: While the suspension of MPs is a matter of parliamentary debate, claiming the BJP is 'destroying democracy' requires a broader assessment. India's ranking in the Responsible Nations Index suggests otherwise.
India ranked 16th among 154 countries in the Responsible Nations Index in January 2026, ahead of the US and China. This index measures how responsibly nations use their power.
Source: Responsible Nations Index
Furthermore, consistently high voter turnout in elections demonstrates active public participation in the democratic process. Dalits: The claim of 'crushing Dalits' is directly challenged by government data and initiatives aimed at their upliftment. The Prime Minister himself has emphasized the focus on marginalized communities.
"Dalits, OBCs, and tribals are the biggest beneficiaries of his government's pro-poor schemes. The government's greatest achievement in the past ten years was pulling 25 crore people out of poverty."
Source: Prime Minister Modi, February 2024
The BJP also highlights its representation of SC/ST communities within its ranks.
The BJP has the largest number of MPs, legislators, mayors, Zila Parishad chairpersons, and village mukhiyas from the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities.
Laborers: Data on job creation and unemployment rates contradicts the claim of 'crushing laborers.' Comparing the NDA government's performance to the UPA era reveals significant differences.
Under the Modi government, 17.19 crore new jobs were generated between 2014 and 2024, while the UPA government created 2.9 crore jobs between 2004 and 2014.
Source: Union Labour and Employment Minister, January 2025, citing RBI and EPFO data.
Employment growth under the UPA was 6% over ten years, while under the current government, it has surged by 36%.
India's unemployment rate (UR) dropped from 6% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2023-24.
Farmers: The Modi government has demonstrably increased support for farmers through policy changes and budgetary allocations. The PM Kisan scheme is a prime example.
The agriculture budget in 2025–26 rose to five times its 2013–14 levels.
Under the PM Kisan scheme, Rs 3.7 lakh crore has been disbursed.
Women: While the claim mentions 'crushing women,' government initiatives and data point towards increased empowerment. For instance, housing schemes prioritize women's ownership.
More than 70% of houses under the PM Awas Yojana are solely or jointly owned by women.

Government Record

Since 2014, the BJP/NDA government has emphasized inclusive development, focusing on the welfare of Dalits, laborers, farmers, and women through various schemes and policies. These include: * **PM Awas Yojana:** Providing affordable housing, with a significant focus on women's ownership. * **PM Kisan Samman Nidhi:** Direct financial assistance to farmers. * **Increased budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Women and Child Development:** Strengthening programs for women's empowerment and child welfare. * **Jan Dhan Yojana:** Promoting financial inclusion, benefiting marginalized communities. * **Mudra Yojana:** Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship, creating employment opportunities. These initiatives, coupled with the data presented above, demonstrate a concerted effort to improve the lives of these communities, contradicting the claim of 'crushing' them.

The Verdict

Based on available data and government records, Mallikarjun Kharge's claim is **MISLEADING**. While legitimate concerns about parliamentary procedures exist, the sweeping allegations of the BJP government 'destroying democracy' and 'crushing' Dalits, laborers, farmers, and women are not substantiated by the evidence. Government data indicates positive trends and targeted initiatives aimed at the welfare of these communities.