Prime Minister Narendra Modi, participating in a debate on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, defended his government’s constitutional amendments, emphasizing that they were aimed at correcting past mistakes and fostering national unity and progress rather than consolidating power.
Criticism of Nehru-Gandhi Family PM Modi accused the Nehru-Gandhi family of manipulating the Constitution for their own benefit during their time in power. He claimed their amendments were self-serving, contrasting them with his government’s initiatives, which he said were made in alignment with the spirit of the Constitution.
“We amended the Constitution to rectify past errors, enhance national unity, and address longstanding issues like the neglect of OBCs,” he stated. He highlighted measures such as granting constitutional status to the OBC Commission and implementing 10% reservation for economically weaker sections in the General Category as key milestones.
Removal of Article 370 PM Modi celebrated his government’s repeal of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He noted that the provision had hindered the full implementation of the Constitution in the region. “We demolished this wall, and the Supreme Court supported our decision,” he remarked.
Empowering Women and Marginalized Communities Referring to the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the women’s reservation bill, PM Modi criticized the opposition for blocking similar legislation for decades. He called the initiative a step towards empowering women and stated, “We didn’t do this for power; we did it for virtue.”
Defense of CAA and UCC PM Modi defended the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), describing it as consistent with Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of protecting persecuted minorities in neighboring countries. “We brought CAA to address the suffering of persecuted minorities,” he said.
On the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the Prime Minister explained that his government was committed to its implementation in line with the Constitution’s vision and the recommendations of B.R. Ambedkar and the Supreme Court.
Commitment to Constitutional Integrity Highlighting his government’s adherence to constitutional principles, PM Modi reflected on the Vajpayee-led NDA government’s decision to resign after losing a vote of confidence by one vote in 1998. He contrasted this with Congress, accusing it of resorting to unconstitutional means to retain power, including bribing MPs in the 1990s.
“We have always respected the Constitution and never taken unconstitutional routes,” PM Modi stated, accusing Congress of repeatedly undermining the Constitution for political gain.
Conclusion PM Modi reiterated his government’s commitment to constitutional integrity, emphasizing its efforts to strengthen the nation through reforms and unity. He urged the opposition to align with the principles of the Constitution and contribute to the country’s progress.
