Prime Minister Narendra Modi, participating in the Constitution debate in the Lok Sabha on December 14, delivered a comprehensive speech touching on various aspects of the Constitution, its history, and its role in shaping India. He also outlined his government’s vision and criticised past practices, particularly those of the Congress party.
Constitutional Amendments and Congress
PM Modi asserted that the amendments to the Constitution brought by his government were not designed to tighten the grip on power, unlike those made by the Congress. He accused the Nehru-Gandhi family of habitually amending the Constitution for their own interests, starting with the country’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. He said, “Congress did not follow its own constitution, and made Nehru the leader when state units had supported Sardar Patel.”
Modi’s comments, especially on the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, sparked uproar in the Opposition benches. He said, “The National Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi posed a threat to the values of the Constitution. When India was celebrating 25 years of the Constitution, our democracy was being tarnished.” He accused the Congress of undermining democratic traditions, citing examples of Sardar Patel and Sitaram Kesri.
Role of the Constitution in India’s Progress
Prime Minister praised the Constitution for bringing India this far and proving naysayers wrong. “The Constitution is instrumental in uplifting women,” he said, adding that his government’s initiatives have always placed women at the centre. He highlighted that India gave women the right to vote from the beginning, contrasting this with the practices of Western democracies.
Eleven ‘Sankalps’ for Citizens
Concluding his speech, PM Modi shared eleven resolutions (Sankalps) for every citizen to follow:
- Citizens and the government should fulfill their duties.
- Every region and society should experience inclusive growth (Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas).
- Zero tolerance for corruption; those accused of corruption should not be accepted in society.
- There should be pride in the nation’s laws, rules, and traditions.
- Freedom from the mentality of slavery, with pride in our heritage.
- The country’s politics should be free from nepotism.
- The Constitution must be respected; it should not be used as a weapon for political gains.
- While being dedicated to the spirit of the Constitution, reservations should not be removed, and there should be no reservations based on religion.
- Promotion of development led by women.
- The development of the state should lead to the development of the nation.
- The goal of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ should be paramount.
Achievements Under ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’
PM Modi emphasised that his government’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ is not a mere slogan. He cited the lifting of “25 crore” people out of poverty and infrastructure development in the northeastern states as examples of inclusive growth. “Our policies and decision-making processes over the last 10 years have aimed at strengthening India’s unity,” he said.
He credited his government for ensuring financial inclusion by opening nearly 50 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts since 2014. Modi highlighted the scheme’s role in preventing leakages in the disbursal of subsidies. Referring to poverty eradication initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission and Ujjwala Yojana, he noted their impact on improving the lives of women. “These schemes reflect the values enshrined in the Constitution,” Modi said, while calling the Congress’ slogan of “Garibi Hatao” the “biggest jumla.”
Citizenship Amendment Act and Article 370
Defending the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), PM Modi said it reflects Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of accommodating religious minorities facing persecution in neighboring countries. He hailed the abrogation of Article 370 as a mark of respect to BR Ambedkar and described it as a step toward “national unity.”
Uniform Civil Code and Reservation Policies
PM Modi reiterated the importance of implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), stating that it was envisioned by the makers of the Constitution. “Ambedkar strongly advocated UCC for all religions, so did other leaders; that is why we are bringing a secular civil code,” he said.
He accused Congress of conspiring to implement reservations on religious lines and failing to implement the recommendations of the first Backward Class Commission. “OBC quota became a reality only after Congress was ousted from power,” he alleged.
Congress’ Actions
PM Modi attacked the Congress for allegedly delaying the construction of the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre and accused former PM Rajiv Gandhi of violating constitutional values by overruling the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Shah Bano case for “vote bank politics.”
“The next generation of the Gandhi family is also engaged in tampering with the Constitution,” he said, accusing Congress of dynastic politics that threatened India’s democracy. “One family ruled for 55 years out of 75 years and left no stone unturned in hurting the Constitution,” he added.
Tribute to the Constitution’s Makers
PM Modi expressed gratitude to the makers of the Constitution and described India as the “mother of democracy.” He noted that members of the Constituent Assembly came from diverse backgrounds and highlighted the role of women members in drafting the Constitution.
“It is a moment of pride. It is an opportunity to celebrate the festival of democracy. The 75-year-long journey is a memorable one,” Modi concluded.
