The debate on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha escalated into a fiery exchange as Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, launched a scathing critique of the BJP, invoking the controversial views of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Rahul quoted Savarkar’s assertion that "there is nothing Indian about our Constitution" to question the BJP's commitment to its principles. He accused the ruling party of being ideologically aligned with the casteist Manusmriti, a text often criticized for perpetuating social inequalities, rather than the progressive values enshrined in the Constitution.
“VD Savarkar explicitly stated in his writings that the Constitution should be replaced with the Manusmriti,” Rahul said, challenging the BJP's claims of safeguarding constitutional values. “When you speak of protecting the Constitution, you are actually ridiculing and defaming Savarkar, whose beliefs you hold in such high regard,” he added, drawing sharp reactions from the treasury benches.
Rahul also referenced historical events to underscore his point, alleging that Savarkar compromised with British colonial authorities by sending letters of apology and seeking clemency, while leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru endured imprisonment. He said, "Savarkar wrote apologies to the British while Gandhi ji and Nehru ji fought for India’s freedom and faced jail time. Even Indira Gandhi told me that Savarkar had compromised with the British.”
The BJP swiftly countered Rahul’s claims. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju shared a 1980 letter by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in which she referred to Savarkar as "a remarkable son of India" who had contributed to the nation's freedom struggle. Rijiju tweeted, “This document is for Rahul Gandhi Ji, as he made an incorrect statement in Lok Sabha about Veer Savarkar. Indira Gandhi herself acknowledged Savarkar’s contributions.”
Rahul Gandhi didn’t stop there. He accused the BJP of attacking the Constitution “24x7” and of favoring corporate interests over the common people. He alleged that the BJP’s policy decisions, including exploring lateral entry into top bureaucratic positions, were effectively disenfranchising deserving youth and backward classes. Drawing a parallel to the Mahabharata, Rahul said, “Just like Dronacharya cut off Eklavya’s thumb, the BJP is cutting off the thumb of today’s youth, backward classes, and poor people. You are stealing their opportunities.”
He further accused the government of aiding industrialists like Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani while ignoring the plight of farmers and small businesses. “You unleashed lathi charges and tear gas shells on farmers protesting outside Delhi who were demanding MSP. Instead of addressing their grievances, you facilitated profits for Adani and Ambani. This is how you cut off the thumb of farmers and small businesses,” he said. Rahul also raised the issue of alleged paper leaks and corruption in recruitment processes, claiming that such incidents harmed the prospects of millions of aspirants from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Reiterating the Congress party’s promise of conducting a caste census, Rahul called for removing the 50% cap on reservations, asserting that such a move would empower marginalized communities and bring about transformative development. “A caste census will reveal the true representation of backward classes in our system, and removing the reservation cap will ensure justice for them. This is the kind of new development India needs,” he said.
The BJP hit back with equal fervor. BJP MP and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur accused the Congress of hypocrisy, referencing the Emergency period imposed by Indira Gandhi from 1975 to 1977. “Those who now flaunt the Constitution once trampled on it by curbing fundamental rights and turning the nation into a jail. It was the power of the Constitution that forced Indira Gandhi to end the Emergency,” Thakur said. He also mocked Congress leaders for their alleged lack of understanding of the Constitution, suggesting that their actions have historically contradicted their public proclamations of respect for it.
Thakur also dismissed Rahul’s allegations of favoritism, saying, “It is ironic that the Congress, which created a crony capitalist ecosystem during its decades of rule, is now accusing the BJP of doing the same. The Congress should introspect before leveling such charges.”
The debate showcased the growing ideological rift between the Congress and BJP, with both parties invoking the Constitution to claim the moral high ground. Rahul Gandhi’s sharp critique and focus on issues like caste representation, unemployment, and corporate favoritism sought to position the Congress as a defender of marginalized communities and democratic principles. Meanwhile, the BJP leveraged historical events like the Emergency and its own vision of development to counter the Congress’s allegations and portray it as inconsistent in its commitment to constitutional values.
The heated exchanges highlighted the Constitution’s enduring role as a central point of contention in India’s political discourse. Both sides sought to present themselves as its true custodians while using it as a weapon to attack the other. The debate is likely to resonate in the coming months, with both parties framing their narratives around constitutional values as the nation moves toward crucial electoral battles.
