New Delhi: The Lok Sabha is bracing for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated response to a heated Constitution debate, ignited by strong opposition criticism. The debate, initiated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who criticised the opposition for allegedly failing to uphold constitutional values, has seen a series of pointed attacks on the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in her maiden Lok Sabha speech on Friday, delivered a scathing indictment of the BJP’s approach to the Constitution. She accused the party of transforming the Constitution into a tool for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alleging that the BJP-led government has prioritised fear-mongering over upholding the values enshrined in the Constitution.
Priyanka pointed to instances of violence in Sambhal and the Unnao rape case, asserting that the Constitution serves as a source of courage for citizens to oppose oppression. She directly challenged PM Modi’s understanding of the Constitution, stating, “It seems Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not understood that it is ‘Bharat ka Samvidhan’ (India’s Constitution), not ‘Sangh ka Vidhan’ (Sangh’s Constitution).”
Adding fuel to the fire, TMC MP Mahua Moitra accused the BJP of systematically undermining India’s democracy over the past decade, describing their actions as “bleeding the Constitution from a thousand cuts.” Her reference to the death of a judicial officer, however, triggered strong reactions, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju warning of parliamentary repercussions.
The debate also saw Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav advocating for a caste census, linking the denial of such a census to the recent violence in Sambhal and actions targeting places of worship. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar touched upon India’s relations with Bangladesh and Pakistan, emphasising the importance of minority safety in Bangladesh and the eradication of terrorism in Pakistan for improved relations.
