Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in the Lok Sabha during the Constitution debate on Saturday, launched a blistering critique of the Congress party, accusing it of undermining constitutional values and betraying the vision of India’s founding fathers. Modi's remarks, delivered amid heated exchanges with Congress MPs, focused on historical episodes such as the Emergency and framed the Congress’s actions as consistent efforts to weaken the democratic framework of the country.
Modi began by emphasizing the foresight and cultural awareness of India’s Constitution makers. He highlighted their belief in the enduring legacy of Indian civilization, saying, “The Constitution makers didn’t think that India was born in 1947 or that democracy began in 1950. They believed in the great traditions, culture, and heritage of this land, which have endured for thousands of years. They acknowledged the journey of democracy that existed long before colonial rule.”
Pivoting to his criticism of the Congress, Modi accused the Nehru-Gandhi family of repeatedly undermining the Constitution to serve their political interests. “One family within the Congress left no stone unturned in hurting the Constitution. Their wrong thoughts, wrong deeds, and wrong policies inflicted wounds on the soul of the Constitution,” Modi alleged. He claimed that even India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, showed scant regard for constitutional propriety. Modi cited an instance where Nehru reportedly urged his ministers to make amendments to the Constitution if it posed hurdles, ignoring advice from the Speaker and other senior leaders of the time. “This disregard for constitutional sanctity laid the foundation for decades of misuse,” Modi remarked.
The Prime Minister reserved his most scathing remarks for the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, calling it one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic history. “During the Emergency, constitutional rights were shredded, citizens were jailed, and the entire country was turned into a prison. The media, the voice of the people, was silenced. All fundamental rights were taken away in the name of power. This stain on the Congress will never be erased,” Modi said. He accused Congress of abusing constitutional provisions to consolidate its control, adding, “The Emergency was a clear example of Congress’s hunger for power, and it tore apart the very essence of the Constitution.”
Modi also pointed to the frequency of constitutional amendments under Congress rule, claiming that over six decades, the Constitution was amended 75 times to suit the party’s agenda. “Having tasted power, Congress repeatedly altered the Constitution to fit its needs, undermining the intentions of its framers,” he said.
Continuing his attack, Modi noted the stark contrast between the ideals of the Constitution and the Congress’s actions over the years. “The framers of the Constitution celebrated India’s unity in diversity and sought to create an environment of equality and justice. But Congress chose to sow seeds of discord, negativity, and division instead of embracing these ideals,” he charged.
The Prime Minister concluded by invoking former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision of governance, which emphasized constitutional values and democratic dialogue. Modi reiterated his government’s commitment to upholding the Constitution in its truest spirit and ensuring that it remains a tool for empowerment and justice, not a means for political manipulation. “We must never forget the sacrifices and vision of the Constitution’s framers. It is our collective responsibility to safeguard their legacy and strengthen the pillars of democracy,” Modi said.
The speech, delivered with a mix of historical references and political rhetoric, underscored the BJP’s ongoing strategy of contrasting its governance with Congress’s historical legacy. By framing the Congress as a party that betrayed constitutional values and suppressed democracy, Modi sought to reinforce his party’s narrative of being the true custodian of India’s democratic ethos. His remarks also highlighted the BJP’s use of historical events like the Emergency to weaken the moral standing of its principal political rival.
