New Delhi: In her maiden speech in the Lok Sabha on Friday, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly criticised the BJP-led government, calling the Constitution a “suraksha kavach” (shield) of justice, unity and the Right to Express. She condemned the BJP for what she believes is a deliberate undermining of these core values by the current government.
Here are the top quotes from Priyanka’s speech:
- Our Constitution is a protective shield which keeps the countrymen safe. Our Constitution is a shield of justice, unity and freedom of expression. But in the last 10 years the ruling party has tried its best to break this protective shield.
- If it weren’t for the Lok Sabha election results, the BJP would have started altering the Constitution. The reality is that the BJP now talks about the Constitution because they realised, after the LS polls, that the people are committed to protecting it. Maybe they have not understood that the Constitution of India is not the same as the Constitution of the Sangh.
- The one, whose name you sometimes hesitate in speaking out, while speaking fluently at other times to use it to save yourself.
- Recently some members of the grieving families from Sambhal came to meet us. Among them were two children, Adnan and Uzair. One was the same age as my son (Raihan Vadra, 24) and the other was about 17. Their father, a tailor, had one dream: to see his sons receive an education.
- Our Constitution is the flame of justice, hope, expression and aspiration that burns in the heart of every Indian. This flame has given strength to every Indian that he has the right to get justice.
- There has been a tradition of dialogue and discussion for thousands of years in our country. This tradition is seen in every religion, philosophy, Vedas and Upanishads. Debate and dialogue have been a part of our culture.
- It was from this tradition that our freedom struggle arose, which was based on non-violence and truth. It was a very democratic fight. The farmers, labourers, intellectuals of the country were all involved in this movement
