Union Home Minister Amit Shah, replying to the Constitution debate in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, lashed out at Congress-ruled governments from Jawaharlal Nehru to Indira Gandhi’s regimes. He accused Congress of making constitutional amendments solely to serve one family’s interests.
In an unsparing attack, Amit Shah also took a jibe at Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Without naming him, Shah said the 54-year-old leader calls himself a youth leader and brazenly brags from public forums that he will amend the Constitution.
Shah said that the BJP ruled the country for a total of 16 years (6 years during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure and 10 years under PM Modi) and brought 22 amendments to the Constitution. In contrast, Congress, over 55 years, had effected 77 amendments.
Congress Amendments Were Driven by Personal Motives
The Home Minister dug out many ‘illegitimate and unlawful’ amendments during past Congress governments. He compared four constitutional amendments under Congress and BJP dispensations to expose the intent and motives of Congress-led regimes.
Shah argued that both parties amended the Constitution, but what differentiates them is the intention and motive behind the amendment. According to him, Congress’s amendments were driven by personal motives, while BJP’s amendments were guided by national interest.
He pointed to the first amendment, brought on June 18, 1951, under Jawaharlal Nehru’s government. Shah highlighted that this amendment introduced Article 19(A) to curb the freedom of expression of people. The 24th amendment, brought by Indira Gandhi’s government on November 5, 1971, gave Parliament ‘unbridled’ powers to curtail the fundamental principles of citizens.
Shah continued that the 39th amendment, introduced on August 10, 1975, marked a dark chapter in Indian democracy. As the Allahabad High Court had declared Indira Gandhi’s election illegal, her government brought an amendment with retrospective effect to nullify the court verdict. The 45th amendment extended the Lok Sabha tenure from five to six years out of fear of electoral defeat, while also extending the tenure of President’s rule by six months.
BJP’s Amendments Focused on National Interest and Welfare
Shah then went on to discuss the four constitutional amendments introduced by the BJP, spotlighting that all were for the welfare of the people. He said the 101st amendment, brought on July 1, 2017, implemented the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as part of the ‘one nation-one tax’ policy. This, he noted, brought parity in taxation across the country, benefiting millions of citizens.
He further mentioned the 102nd amendment, which gave constitutional status to the OBC commission. The 103rd amendment, introduced on January 12, 2019, provided 10% reservation for economically backward communities. The 106th amendment ensured 33% reservation for women through the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
Shah concluded by stating that once the women’s reservation comes into effect, and 33% women MPs represent their constituencies in the House, it would fulfill the dream and vision of India’s forefathers for gender equality and empowerment.
A Vision for Economic Independence and Unity
Shah also praised India’s economic progress, highlighting that the country is now the fifth-largest economy in the world, surpassing Britain. He attributed this growth to the hard work and unity fostered by the Constitution. Reflecting on India’s journey, Shah recalled Sardar Patel’s role in uniting the nation and strengthening its democratic values.
Shah further critiqued the opposition’s political approach, drawing a comparison between the naming of India and Bharat. “When Seth Govind Das suggested naming the nation Bharat during the drafting of the Constitution, Nehru asked to shed the past and look towards the future,” Shah explained, drawing a parallel to the opposition alliance name, “INDIA,” which he claimed reflected a colonial mindset.
In his closing remarks, Shah reiterated that India’s democracy is based on the core values of the Constitution and has stood resilient for 75 years, despite challenges.
Also Read: ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bills: What Happend In LS, What The Rules Say
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
