‘Treated Congress, Even Constitution As Family Property’: Amit Shah Slams Nehru-Gandhi Family In RS
Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the BJP's constitutional amendments. He criticised the Congress's record alleging historical disregard for the Constitution.
In a debate held in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasised the significance of India's Constitution, marking 75 years of its establishment. Shah defended the amendments made by the BJP in contrast to the historical record of Congress, highlighting the party's efforts in shaping the country's democratic framework.
"You treat Congress and even the Constitution as your family property," he remarked citing the Katchatheevu row where India ceased the territory to Sri Lanka. He questioned when the discussion for the same took place in the Parliament as amendments were required for the same.
He also revisited several key amendments during Congress's rule. "The first amendment was made by the Constituent Assembly because Congress lacked patience. It added Article 19A, curtailing the freedom of expression when Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister. The 24th Amendment occurred during Indira Gandhi's tenure, which curtailed citizens' fundamental rights," he said.
"The 49th Amendment in the Constitution crossed all the limits. August 10, 1975, was a black day. Indira Gandhi's elections were declared null and void by the Allahabad High Court. The Amendment was used to subvert the High Court order and a retrospective amendment was brought to ensure that no judicial investigation is undertaken against the Prime Minister," he added.
#WATCH | Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "...The 49th Amendment in the Constitution crossed all the limits. On August 10, 1975, was a black day. Indira Gandhi's elections were declared null and void by the Allahabad High Court. Today, they lose and blame the EVM. The… pic.twitter.com/S0nDGiYxyh
— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2024
The Union Home Minister targeted Congress, accusing them of hypocrisy. He referenced Congress' rejection of the "One Nation, One Election" bill, pointing to its historical contradictions. "When the bill for One Nation, One Election was introduced today in Lok Sabha, Congress and its allies opposed it, saying we don't have the right to change the tenure of state assemblies. PM Indira Gandhi has previously extended the tenure of the Lok Sabha and assemblies from five to six years to save their government as they realised they would lose impending polls. The tenure of President's rule was also increased by six months," Shah remarked.
#WATCH | Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "...The 42nd Amendment of the Constitution was made when Indira Gandhi was the PM... The tenure of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha was increased to 6 years. They did it because they would have lost if the elections had taken… pic.twitter.com/cqfZDxOT8v
— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2024
He also pointed to several amendments made by the BJP, including giving recognition to backward classes, the introduction of a 10% quota for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and a 35% reservation for women. "We also abolished triple talaq and Indianised the criminal laws with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023," he said.
Shah further asserted that the BJP government had made substantial strides in reforms, citing the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and other constitutional amendments. "We brought in the GST and ensued compensation to states for ten years, PM Modi opposed GST under UPA rule as the Congress government did not want to give GST compensation to states," he noted.
The Union Home Minister did not shy away from criticising the Congress further, particularly targeting Rahul Gandhi. "The Constitution is not an issue to mislead people about. When the Constitution was distributed at a (Congress) rally in Maharashtra, it turned out to be blank – not even the preamble was included. This is the biggest deception I have seen in my life."
He also criticised Rahul Gandhi who, according to him, underestimated the Constitution's stability. "Our Constitution has never been seen as unchangeable. Some leaders, at 54 years of age, claim they are young and claim that the Constitution will be changed. But I would like to remind them that provisions for amendments exist within the same document," he said.
"When people came to know that they were roaming around with fake constitutions, they defeated them," he stated opining on the MVA rout in recent Maharashtra election.
ALSO READ | BJP To Issue Notices To Over 20 MPs Absent During Voting On 'One Nation, One Election' Bill
‘Our Constitution Didn't Copy Other Countries' Documents’: Amit Shah In Rajya Sabha
Shah concluded by reflecting on India's growth over the past 75 years. "The people of our country and our Constitution have given a befitting reply to those who said we would never be economically independent. Today, we are the fifth-largest economy in the world. We have surpassed Britain," he said, adding that the debates would educate the youth and help people discern which party truly honours the Constitution.
He credited Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for India's unity and strong democratic foundation, saying, "It is because of his efforts that the nation stands strong in the world." Highlighting India's democratic resilience, Shah stated, "In the last 75 years, many nations gained independence, but their democracies failed. Our democracy has deep roots. We made changes peacefully, without shedding a drop of blood, and defeated dictators through democratic means."
"The portraits adorning Parliament are a testament to the legacy of the nation," said Shah, asserting that the Indian Constitution is unique. "Our Constitution did not copy other such documents from around the world. We borrowed the good from all, but we incorporated our own values into it. If viewed through foreign lenses, that is all they will see," he added.
Shah referred to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's words, quoting, "No constitution, no matter how good, can be successful if those who run it play a bad role."
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