Lok Sabha witnesses fiery debate on Constitution – La Semaine

The day saw a major political clash as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi exchanged sharp barbs, questioning each other's commitment to the Constitution while presenting contrasting ideological visions for India.

Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, linking their values ​​to Manusmriti and citing Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar's criticism of the Constitution. Drawn from MahabharataGandhi told the story of Eklavya, comparing Dronacharya's demand for Eklavya's thumb to what he described as the government's suppression of marginalized communities.

The opposition leader outlined his vision, promising implementation of a caste census and increasing reservation limits beyond the current 50% cap if voted to power. Quoting BR Ambedkar, Gandhi pointed out: If there is political equality but no social and economic equality, political equality will be destroyed.

To counter Gandhi's accusations, Prime Minister Modi launched a scathing attack on the Nehru-Gandhi family. Speaking at the end of a two-day debate on 75 years of the Constitution in Lok Sabha, Modi highlighted what he called the sins of the family, presenting them as obstacles to the progress of the 'India.

Modi has presented his government's work over the past decade as guided by the spirit of the Constitution. He cited achievements such as abrogation of Article 370, provision of ration to over 80 million people, construction of toilets, improvement of livelihoods and promotion of a uniform civil code.

The Prime Minister also responded to the frequent use of the term by the Congress. total (a phrase used to reject the BJP's promises). He said, “The biggest jumla in India, used over four generations, was Indira Gandhis slogan garibi hatao. They did nothing for the poor.

In a merciless attack on former Congress prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv GandhiModi, they accused them of changing the Constitution for political purposes. He claimed that Nehru first amended the Constitution, even before being elected prime minister, to restrict the right to freedom of expression. Nehru wrote to the chief ministers telling them that if the Constitution was inconvenient for us, it should be amended. The Congress developed a taste for redrafting the Constitution and continued to pursue it, Modi said.

He targeted Indira Gandhi for amending the Constitution to curtail the powers of the Supreme Court and imposing a state of emergency. This sin will never be wiped from the face of the Congress, Modi said. Referring to Rajiv Gandhi, Modi criticized his government for amending the Constitution to overturn the Supreme Court verdict in the Shah Bano case. He also accused the generation that succeeded Rajiv of disrespecting the Constitution by tearing up a government-approved ordinance. Unlike the Congress, we amended the Constitution to strengthen the country, Modi said.

On the Congress' promise regarding reservations, Modi accused the party of pushing for religion-based quotas, which was also rejected by the Constituent Assembly. He called the Congressional reservation plan an appeasement strategy aimed at getting votes.

Concluding his 110-minute speech, Modi presented his vision for the nation through 11 resolutions: maintaining reservations for marginalized sections; the end of dynastic politics; promote meritocracy; zero tolerance for corruption; everyone fulfills their duties; inclusive development; instill pride in the country’s laws and regulations; free ourselves from the colonial mentality; respect the Constitution; women-led development, promoting national development; 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat.'

After two days of discussion in Lok Sabha, the debate will now take place in Rajya Sabha.