The two-day marathon debate in Rajya Sabha on the 75 years of the Constitution started on Monday. The Lok Sabha held a two-day discussion last week. The winter session of Parliament will continue till December 20.
Constitution Debate: Union Minister Amit Shah spoke on the Constitution debate in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Participating in a discussion on the “Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India”, Shah emphasised the transformative impact of the Indian Constitution on the nation’s progress. He also remarked that discussions on the Constitution highlight how it has propelled the country forward while also serving as a reminder of the consequences when its principles are disregarded or manipulated for personal gain. Shah stated that such discussions reveal which political parties have truly respected the Constitution upon coming to power.
Shah also launched a sharp attack on former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, accusing the Congress party of curtailing freedom of expression and undermining people’s rights during their tenures. “The first amendment was to curtail the freedom of expression by former PM Jawaharlal Nehru. The 24th Amendment was brought by his daughter Indira Gandhi. On November 24, 1971, the Parliament was given the right to reduce the fundamental rights of the citizens,” Shah added.
He also targeted Congress and other Opposition parties over allegations concerning electronic voting machines (EVM) and said the Supreme Court had repeatedly rejected petitions on the issue. He said when opposition parties lose polls they start complaining about EVMs.
Shah thanks Sardar Patel
The Union Home Minister also reflected on India’s journey since independence, recalling that global observers once doubted India’s ability to remain united or become economically self-reliant. Shah credited Sardar Patel’s relentless efforts for strengthening the nation and positioning it as a global force. “In the last 75 years, there have been many nations nation that became independent and had new beginnings but democracy did not succeed there. But our democracy is deep-rooted and stronger than ever… We made numerous changes without shedding a drop of blood. The people of this country have shattered the arrogance of multiple dictators and that too democratically,” he added.
Shah takes a dig at Rahul Gandhi
Speaking further, Shah said the people of the country and the Constitution have given a befitting reply to those who said that India would never be able to become economically independent. “Today we are the 5th largest economy… We have left Britain behind,” he added. Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, the Union Home Minister said the 54-year-old leader who calls himself ‘yuva’, keeps roaming around with the Constitution claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party would change the Constitution. “I want to tell that the provision to amend the Constitution is within the Constitution… BJP has ruled for 16 years and we made 22 changes to the Constitution… Congress ruled for 55 years and made 77 changes…In our Constitution, the Constitution has never been considered immutable… Article 368 has a provision to amend the Constitution,” Shah added.
Additionally, Shah also targeted Rahul Gandhi over his “Mohabbat ki Dukan (shop of love)” slogan, saying that love and affection are not something to be sold in a shop. “We have also listened to speeches of those talking of opening ‘mohabbat ki dukan’ in every village. Love is not something to be sold, it has to be spread. It is a feeling, to be evoked in heart, it is a moment to be evoked in others,” he remarked.
