I.N.D.I.A Bloc Protests At Parliament With Copies Of Constitution: 'Modi Govt Breaking Democratic Norms' — WATCH

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge questioned PM Modi's Emergency remark — Tuesday marks its anniversary and Modi referred to it as a 'black spot on Indian democracy' in his media address.

Opposition MPs Mahua Moitra, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Mahua Maji and others show copies of the Constitution of India at the Parliament House complex .

Source : PTI

As the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha began on Monday, I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders, including Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, protested on Parliament premises.

#WATCH | Delhi: INDIA bloc leaders including Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, protest in Parliament premises pic.twitter.com/QoFKaoavR0

— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2024

I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders gathered in front of the Gandhi statue, holding a copy of the Indian Constitution, and accused the Modi government of undermining India's democratic norms.

#WATCH | INDIA bloc leaders holding copy of Constitution protest in Parliament, Delhi pic.twitter.com/ViPaa6diOk

— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2024

At the protest, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Emergency remark — Tuesday marks its anniversary and Modi referred to it as a "black spot on Indian democracy" in his address to the media before the session.

"He will say this 100 times. Without declaring an emergency, you are doing this. How long do you want to rule by talking about this?" Kharge was quoted as saying by ANI.

#WATCH | Delhi: Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge says, "...Modi Ji tried to break the Constitution, that's why today leaders of all parties have come together and are protesting. There was a Gandhi statue here...they are breaking all democratic norms, that's why… pic.twitter.com/Ti71OvSgLJ

— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2024

He said PM Modi “tried to break the Constitution, which is why all leaders are protesting together". 

“They are breaking all democratic norms. That's why today we want to show that. Modi ji, you should move ahead according to the Constitution..." he added.

Asked about I.N.D.I.A bloc members carrying the Constitution, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said "the attack" PM Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah "have launched on the Constitution is not acceptable to us". "We will not let this happen," he added.

"...The attack that the PM and Amit Shah are launching on the Constitution is not acceptable to us, we will not let this happen. So, we held the Constitution while taking the oath... Our message is going across, no power can touch the Constitution of India."

#WATCH | Delhi: When asked about Congress and other Opposition parties carrying copies of the Constitution to the Parliament today, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "...The attack that the PM and Amit Shah are launching on the Constitution is not acceptable to us, we will not let… pic.twitter.com/1d8inFNxEp

— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2024

Addressing media persons outside the new Parliament building before taking oath as a Member of Parliament, Modi recalled the 21-month period of Emergency that was implemented on June 25, 1975, by the then PM Indira Gandhi. PM Modi said the "new generation of India will never forget the time when the country was turned into a prison", adding that they will pledge to work towards a vibrant democracy where no one will dare to do such a thing again.

The Prime Minister concluded his address by stating that the country hopes and expects the Opposition to maintain the dignity of democracy, adding that the "people want substance, not slogans".