PM Modi Slams Gandhi Family For Repeatedly Amending Constitution

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sharply criticized the Gandhi family for repeatedly amending the Constitution to serve personal and political interests. Speaking during the second day of the debate on the Constitution’s 75th anniversary, PM Modi accused the Congress of undermining the Constitution for vote bank politics and arrogance.

Repeated Amendments to the Constitution

PM Modi highlighted that the Constitution was amended 75 times in just 55 years. He traced this practice back to Jawaharlal Nehru, continued by Indira Gandhi, and further pursued by Rajiv Gandhi. “The seed sown by Nehru was nurtured by Indira Gandhi and her successors,” Modi said.

He added that the Gandhi family had repeatedly worked against Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of reservation and the implementation of the Mandal Commission report.

Disrespect for the Judiciary and Democracy

The Prime Minister also pointed to how the Gandhi family had weakened the Constitution. He recalled the 1971 amendment that negated a Supreme Court verdict and stripped judicial oversight of Parliament’s right to amend the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights.

PM Modi slammed Indira Gandhi’s decision to bring the 39th Amendment in 1975, saying it placed the election of key positions like the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister beyond judicial scrutiny. He also referred to the imposition of the Emergency, during which democratic rights were denied, the judiciary was muzzled, and media was suppressed.

Commitment to a ‘Committed Judiciary’

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The Prime Minister criticized the idea of a “Committed Judiciary,” which Indira Gandhi promoted. He cited the case of Justice H.R. Khanna, who gave a dissenting opinion during the Emergency. Modi said Khanna was denied the position of Chief Justice of India for his dissent.

Manmohan Singh’s Government and the National Advisory Council

PM Modi turned his focus to the government under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He quoted from a book by Singh, saying the government was more accountable to the party and its leader than the people. “For the first time, an unconstitutional authority, the National Advisory Council, was placed above the Prime Minister,” Modi said.

Tearing Documents and Undermining Governance

PM Modi concluded by referring to a controversial 2013 incident when Rahul Gandhi tore up a Cabinet ordinance meant to protect convicted lawmakers from disqualification. He described this as an act of arrogance, forcing the Cabinet to change its decision.

Throughout his address, PM Modi emphasized the repeated disrespect for the Constitution and the Gandhi family’s role in undermining democratic principles.