The Rajya Sabha today began a special discussion on the glorious journey of 75 years of the Constitution of India with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman leading the charge from the treasury bench to target the opposition on the issues of freedom of expression and protecting the Constitution. Initiating the discussion, she cited the then Congress government’s decision to jail famous lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri and veteran actor Balraj Sahni for criticizing the rule in 1949.
The Minister also listed the books and films banned during the opposition rule to slam the Congress. Mrs Sitharaman alleged that Congress brazenly kept amending the Constitution to help a family and protect those in power instead of strengthening democracy. She also targeted the Congress for imposing an emergency in the Country saying the term of the Lok sabha was extended during the emergency without proper justification and during the extended term, the entire opposition was put to jail.
In her speech, the Minister also paid tribute to the members of the Constituent Assembly, with special recognition to its 15 women members. Mrs Sitharaman said it is time to reaffirm her commitment to building India that will uphold the spirit enshrined in this sacred document. She highlighted that post-Second World War, over 50 countries had become independent and had their constitutions written. But many have changed their Constitutions, not just amended them but literally changed the entire feature of their Constitution. Mrs Sitharaman said that India’s experience has shown that the country’s constitution remains robust and has stood the test of time.
The Minister asserted that the BJP has always been committed to the welfare of women and Women’s reservations. She added that despite having a brute majority the then Rajiv Gandhi government did not bring the Women Reservation Bill but her government passed the legislation to provide quota to women in Lok Sabha and State assemblies. Ms Sitharaman asserted that the BJP government is committed to protecting the Constitution. Mrs Sitharaman also listed out the achievements of the Narendra Modi government in various sectors. She also alleged that Congress did not deliver on its promise of Garibi Hatao.
Participating in the discussion, the Leader of the Opposition in the House, Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of undermining the Constitution. He said it is Congress which has given Universal adult franchise rights to the people to vote. On the issue of employment, Mr Kharge alleged that the Centre has failed to fulfil its promises of providing two crore jobs every year. He listed out the various schemes brought by the Congress government for the welfare of the poor. Mr Kharge said that schemes like MGNREGA, the Food Security Act and Land reforms were intended to establish socialism in the country. He also accused the government of being anti-reservation and that is why it is not conducting cast census.
Saket Gokhle of AITC said that the Indian Constitution guarantees social, economic and political justice to the people of the country. He questioned the issue of social justice under the present regime alleging that atrocities are being committed against minorities. He accused the government of undermining the constitution.
Tiruchi Shiva of DMK termed the Indian Constitution as a unique and enduring document which has withstood many crises and the taste of time. He said the constitution which was drafted and later adopted has established the foundation for a country that would respect diversity in religion and culture while upholding the values of equality and fairness. He also drew the attention of the ruling party towards this idea. He also urged the government to respect all languages and religions.
V Vijayasai Reddy of YSRCP said that the Constitution has become a beacon of hope for an ordinary citizen. He said, it empowered the individual to demand accountability, guaranteed equality before law and upheld the right of dissent.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that India is the mother of democracy and it will be remembered as the exemplar of the 20th and 21st Century as the largest, most vibrant, youngest and most diverse democracy. He said, it is diverse in terms of languages, cultures, customs and traditions but united by this constitution which helps overcome the various forces that threaten to break the nation apart. He also hit out at the Congress accusing it of abdicating its responsibility to the constitution with regard to Jammu and Kashmir. The Minister said that Article 370 was an anomaly, an aberration and a fracture in the constitutional body politic of India.
Sulata Deo of BJD accused the government of undermining the Constitution and raised the issue of the present situation in Manipur. Mukul Wasnik of Congress said that it is a matter of pride that India of today is united due to the Constitution despite diversity.
Praful Patel of NCP said that it is the Narendra Modi government which has honoured the ideology of Dr B R Ambedkar and not the Congress. He said that Article 370 was inserted as a temporary clause in the Constitution and with the abrogation of this article by the Modi government, the Indian Constitution is in force across the country including Jammu and Kashmir. He also accused the previous Congress government of misusing Article 356 to destabilise the State governments. He said, now in the present government, article 356 has almost become a history.
Ghanshyam Tiwari of BJP expressed his gratitude towards all those who framed the Constitution. He said the makers of the Indian constitution have accorded the people of the country as citizens.
Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora highlighted several steps by the Modi government which helped strengthen the Constitution in the recent past. They include celebrating Constitution Day, abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, GST Council and the NITI Aayog’s role in upholding the federal principle of the constitution and 33 per cent reservation for women.
Kapil Sibal Independent, the framers of the Constitution had emphasised securing for all the citizens social, economic and political justice for all the citizens. He questioned whether we all have delivered on this front.
Sanjay Kumar Jha of JD(U) said that Bihar is the only state which has conducted a caste census. He said the NDA government has implemented the reservation in Panchayat for Dalits and backwards. He also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for publishing the Constitution in the Maithili language.
Dr M Thambudurai of AIADMK demanded the DMK government to conduct a caste-based census in Tamil Nadu.
N R Elango of DMK, Dola Sen of AITC, Subhas Chandra Bose Pilli and Niranjan Reddy of YSRCP, Abhishek Manu Singhvi of Congress, Brij Lal and Sudhanshu Trivedi of BJP and other members also participated in the discussion. However, the discussion remained inconclusive. Later the House was adjourned for the day.
