Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, while leading the Constitution debate on its second day in the Lok Sabha, underscored India’s unique commitment to providing both legal protection and affirmative action for minorities. In a wide-ranging speech, Rijiju touched upon historical moments, policy decisions, and controversies to critique the Congress’s legacy and underline the achievements of the Modi government.
Rijiju began his address by emphasising the constitutional safeguards for minorities in India. “While India has given equal voting rights to all, some claim that minorities have no rights in the country,” he said, taking a subtle dig at the Opposition.
Criticism of Nehru’s Approach to Scheduled Castes
Quoting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Rijiju alleged, “The leader of Congress party Nehru never spoke about the welfare of Scheduled Castes, and from this, we can infer that Pandit Nehru always stood for Muslims.”
He highlighted that Ambedkar, despite his expertise in economics, was denied the Economy and Planning portfolio in Nehru’s cabinet and was instead assigned the Law Ministry. Rijiju suggested that this sidelining frustrated Ambedkar and led to his resignation. “He told Nehru that his first priority was economy, but he did not get those ministries. He was also not included in any Cabinet committee… He said he was not interested in an ornamental portfolio,” Rijiju said.
Congress’s Role in Ambedkar’s Defeat
The minister alleged that Congress played a role in ensuring Ambedkar’s defeat in elections after his resignation. “Ambedkar wanted to return as an MP, but the Congress ensured his defeat,” he said. Rijiju also questioned why Ambedkar was not awarded the Bharat Ratna during the Congress era. “Till 1990, why did you not give Bharat Ratna to Babasaheb Ambedkar? Nehru and Indira Gandhi gave themselves Bharat Ratna,” he charged, crediting the VP Singh government for eventually bestowing the honour on Ambedkar.
Rijiju highlighted the Modi government’s initiatives to honour Ambedkar, including the development of five significant pilgrimage sites associated with him. “Modi-ji gave prominence to five teerth sthals related to Dr. Ambedkar. His birthplace in Mhow, the house in London where he lived, Parinirvan Bhoomi in Delhi, Chaitya Bhoomi in Mumbai, and the upcoming 430-foot statue of Ambedkar in Mumbai,” he said.
Critique of Congress Policies
The minister accused Congress of ignoring infrastructure development in border areas. Referring to a past statement by then-Defence Minister AK Antony, he said, “The then Defence Minister had said that roads would not be constructed across border areas of northeastern states so that Chinese incursion can be prevented.”
Rijiju praised the Modi government’s efforts in the Northeast, highlighting the construction of 16,207 km of highways in the past decade compared to 10,900 km under previous administrations. He added that the region had seen a decline in militancy since 2014.
Rijiju criticised Nehru’s stance on reservation, citing a letter from 1961 where Nehru expressed concerns that reservation could harm merit. He said, “Nehru thought of talent, but this should not happen at the cost of the disadvantaged.” He further noted that the Mandal Commission report was delayed for 10 years under Congress.
Minority Rights and Global Comparisons
Responding to criticisms of minority rights in India, Rijiju pointed to global instances of discrimination. “Forty-eight percent of people have faced discrimination in the EU. In France, the majority of Muslims faced discrimination over the headscarf. In Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, we know what the remaining population of minorities is. Where they face a crisis, the first country they come to is India,” he asserted.
