Amit Shah Coded Criticism of Rahul Gandhi

Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah created a raging controversy in the Rajya Sabha while speaking to the opposition, targeting Rahul Gandhi particularly for his speeches that centered around the Indian Constitution. Shah’s remarks were part of the discussion commemorating 75 years since the adoption of the Constitution. His pointed criticism of the Congress and its constitutional amendments ignited political discourse across the nation.

The Constitution Debate: Amit Shah vs. Rahul Gandhi

In his speech, Amit Shah targeted the 54-year-old Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of playing a drama of the Indian Constitution when speaking publicly. Shah joked that Gandhi, described by many as a “yuva” or youth leader, went roaming around with the Constitution in hand, telling people that the BJP is going to amend it.

Shah clarified that the power of amendment is itself located within the provision of the Constitution, mainly Article 368. He indicted the Congress party for playing the hoax on the masses that the BJP would misuse their authority by altering the Constitution.

Comparative Track Record of Constitutional Amendments

The Union Home Minister made a comparison between the two parties’ record in respect of constitutional amendment:

Congress: Ruled India for 55 years and made 77 amendments to the Constitution.
BJP: Has been in power for 16 years and made only 22 amendments.

Shah’s comments underscored that Congress, under Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, had introduced amendments that curtailed individual rights.

Amit Shah: Highlighting Congress’ First Amendment

Amit Shah spoke on the First Constitutional Amendment presented on June 18, 1951. When Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister. He added Article 19A for limiting freedom of speech and expression, which, Amit Shah said, demonstrated that the Congress was getting impatient with the first Lok Sabha election.

He went further to criticize the Congress regime of curtailing fundamental rights among citizens through amendments such as the 24th Amendment introduced in the year 1971 of the Indira Gandhi regime, which empowered Parliament to withdraw fundamental rights, thereby effectively curbing citizens’ liberties.

Rahul Gandhi’s Rebuttals

Rahul Gandhi is a sharp critic of the BJP and has repeatedly accused the party of following an altogether different ideological framework, citing a preference for Manusmriti over the Indian Constitution. He also believes that the governance of the BJP is marked by attempts to centralize power and undermine democratic principles.

Gandhi has waved the Constitution in his speeches to prove that Congress is the party that guards constitutional values. Shah’s comments, however, challenged this rhetoric as being politically motivated.

Key message of Amit Shah

It focused on constitutional principles that BJP was not only committed to but made Congress accountable for such decisions of the past.

His statement was not criticism of the rhetoric of Rahul Gandhi, but an effort to deflect attention to some historical amendments by Congress altering the structure of individual rights and parliamentarianism.

Amit Shah: The Bigger Political Context

The debate between the BJP and Congress on the constitution goes beyond political jibes. It represents a battle of ideologies:

BJP portrays itself as a party of governance and reforms within the constitutional framework.
Congress portrays itself as the guardian of India’s secular and democratic ethos.

Shah’s comparison of constitutional amendments is a tactical move to question the claims of Congress being the sole custodian of constitutional values.

FAQs

1. What did Amit Shah say about Rahul Gandhi and the Constitution?

Amit Shah condemned Rahul Gandhi for public waving of copies of the Constitution and charged Congress with misleading the people in regards to the intent of BJP to alter the Constitution.

2. How many amendments has Congress and BJP done on the Constitution?

Congress has approved 77 amendments in its period of 55 years that are in the government, whereas BJP passed 22 amendments in BJP’s 16 years of tenure.

3. What is First Constitutional Amendment?

During Congress, it brought forth First Constitutional Amendment in the year 1951 while including Article 19 A through it to restrain freedom of speech.