A heated debate ensued in the Lok Sabha as Rahul Gandhi of the Congress clashed with BJP leaders during a discussion to mark 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution. Rahul Gandhi invokes Savarkar and used Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s controversial remarks about the Constitution to attack the BJP. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and other BJP leaders reacted by citing Indira Gandhi’s praise for Savarkar.
Rahul Gandhi, leader of other positions in the Lok Sabha, accused the BJP of making fun of their ideological icon, Savarkar, by claiming to protect the Constitution. Quoting from the writings of Savarkar, Gandhi said that Savarkar believed there was “nothing Indian about the Constitution” and that he thought Manusmriti-a Hindu text was a more suitable document to govern the country.
He cited the voices of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constitution as a modern document based on ancient Indian ideas. He further attacked the BJP for allegedly violating the Constitution’s principles by continuing caste discrimination and ignoring the rights of the marginalized.
He drew parallels with Eklavya’s story while speaking on the Constitution.
To drive home his point, Rahul Gandhi narrated the tale of Eklavya, a mythological figure who was made to sacrifice his thumb as a token of respect to his guru. Gandhi compared this to the BJP’s policies, saying they were metaphorically “cutting off the thumbs” of India’s youth, backward classes, and farmers through paper leaks, lateral job entries, and the denial of MSP (Minimum Support Price).
Rahul Gandhi invokes Savarkar BJP’s Response: Defending Savarkar’s Legacy
The BJP quickly responded to Rahul Gandhi’s comments. Kiren Rijiju posted a document on X (formerly Twitter) of Indira Gandhi praising Savarkar, calling him a “remarkable son of India.” Rijiju accused Gandhi of making false claims and ignoring Congress’s past acknowledgments of Savarkar’s contributions.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur also joined the counterattack by asking if the opposition knew the Constitution. He also mentioned the incident in which Rahul Gandhi was accused of tearing a government bill, stating that he disrespected the Constitution.
Rahul Gandhi invokes Savarkar Constitutional Debate and the Role of Ideology
The Lok Sabha debate reflected deep ideological divisions. Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP for being Manusmriti adherents, an ideology fundamentally opposed to the Constitution’s egalitarian principles. The BJP leaders retaliated by pointing to the Congress’s own historical contradictions, specifically how Indira Gandhi used to admire Savarkar, and questioned Rahul Gandhi’s understanding of constitutional values.
Call for Caste Census by Rahul Gandhi
Amid the fiery exchanges, Rahul Gandhi reiterated Congress’s commitment to implementing a caste census. He argued that such a move would ensure equitable development and provide a clearer understanding of India’s social fabric. However, the BJP refrained from addressing this aspect directly, focusing instead on countering Gandhi’s allegations.
Rahul Gandhi invokes Savarkar Farmers and Youth: A Key Focus in Gandhi’s Speech
Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of neglecting the youth and farmers, pointing to paper leaks, lack of job opportunities, and inadequate support for farmers as evidence. He criticized the government for allowing corporate profits at the cost of agricultural workers and alleged police brutality against protesting farmers.
Rahul Gandhi invokes Savarkar: An Ongoing Ideological Battle
The debate on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha has once again underlined the stark ideological battle between Congress and the BJP. While Rahul Gandhi positioned himself as a defender of constitutional values and rights of marginalized groups, BJP leaders sought to expose perceived contradictions in Congress’s stance. As the debate continues, the discourse underlines deep political and historical undercurrents shaping modern Indian politics.
FAQs
1. What did Rahul Gandhi say about Savarkar in the debate?
Rahul Gandhi quoted from Savarkar’s writings. According to Gandhi, Savarkar thought that “nothing Indian was there in the Constitution” and wanted to have Manusmriti as a governing text instead.
2. How did Kiren Rijiju react to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks?
Kiren Rijiju posted a document on social media claiming that Indira Gandhi had hailed Savarkar as a “remarkable son of India” and accused Rahul Gandhi of lying.
3. Why did Rahul Gandhi bring up the story of Eklavya?
Rahul Gandhi brought up the story of Eklavya in order to criticize the BJP. Saying that their policies were taking away the youth, backward classes, and farmers’ rights and opportunities.
4. What was the BJP’s criticism of Rahul Gandhi?
BJP leaders accused Rahul Gandhi of disrespecting the Constitution. Citing past incidents like tearing a government bill and asking Congress to be consistent about its stance on Savarkar.
5. Why is the caste census significant, according to Rahul Gandhi?
Rahul Gandhi insisted that a caste census would enable equitable development. It would provide more accurate data on India’s social structure, enabling policies to focus on the deprived sections.
Be First to Comment