Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress and the Nehru-Gandhi family during a debate in the Rajya Sabha on the Constitution, marking the 75th anniversary of its adoption. Shah accused Congress of focusing on the legacy of the Nehru-Gandhi family instead of working for the nation’s welfare, specifically highlighting several constitutional issues and criticizing the party’s policies over the years.
Key Highlights from Amit Shah’s Speech:
1. Constitutional Amendments: Shah highlighted the differences in the amendment records of the BJP and Congress. “The BJP, during its 16 years in power, amended the Constitution 22 times, while Congress, which ruled for 55 years, made 77 amendments,” he said. He further emphasized that while amendments can be made through different procedures, the BJP had brought changes through more legitimate processes, contrasting it with the Congress’ approach.
2. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) Controversy: The Home Minister criticized Congress and other opposition parties for questioning the credibility of EVMs after election defeats. He reminded the House that the Election Commission had kept EVMs open for scrutiny for three days, yet no one proved they could be hacked. “They lost in Maharashtra and won in Jharkhand on the same day, blaming EVMs for their loss in Maharashtra while preparing for their victory in Jharkhand,” Shah remarked.
3. Critique of Nehru and Indira Gandhi: Shah lashed out at India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, accusing him of curtailing freedom of expression through the first amendment. He also attacked Indira Gandhi for the 24th Amendment, which he claimed gave Parliament the power to reduce fundamental rights.
4. India’s Democratic Journey: Shah praised India’s democracy, saying, “While many nations that gained independence faced challenges in establishing democracy, India has thrived without bloodshed. Our democracy has withstood the arrogance of dictators, and the people have preserved it through democratic means.”
5. Congress as a ‘Private Fiefdom’: Continuing his criticism of the Congress, Shah accused the party of treating both the Constitution and the country as the “private fiefdom” of the Nehru-Gandhi family. He also stated that Congress had failed to work for the benefit of backward classes and had neglected their welfare.
6. Congress’ Anti-Reservation Stance: Shah further claimed that Congress had been anti-reservation, citing the delay in implementing the Kaka Kalelkar Commission’s recommendations on OBC reservations. He pointed out that the Mandal Commission’s report, which led to the reservation policy for OBCs, was only implemented after Congress was voted out of power in 1990.
7. 35A and Constitutional Debate: Shah questioned Congress leaders who invoke the Constitution, asking when the implementation of Article 35A, which granted special rights to Jammu and Kashmir, was debated or voted upon in Parliament. “You consider the Constitution and the country as property of a private family,” he said.
8. Vote Bank Politics and Triple Talaq: Shah accused Congress of using vote bank politics, particularly in relation to the Muslim community, where it had done injustice to Muslim women. “We ended triple talaq and gave rights to Muslim mothers and sisters,” he declared.
9. Emergency and Its Legacy: Shah also reminded the Rajya Sabha about the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, calling it a dark period in Indian democracy. “Lakhs of people were jailed, and media was censored. Every child must be told about the Emergency so that it never happens again,” he said.
10. India’s Economic Growth: Concluding his speech, Shah proudly stated that India is now the fifth-largest economy in the world, surpassing Britain. “The Constitution and the people of India have silenced those who doubted our economic independence,” he asserted.
In his address, Amit Shah not only criticized the Congress for its past actions but also highlighted the achievements of the current government, positioning the BJP as a defender of the Constitution and the nation’s democratic values.
