Beyond 75 Years: Rajya Sabha continues debate on India’s Constitution

The Rajya Sabha will continue its discussion on 75 years of the Indian Constitution on Tuesday.

The Upper House’s agenda also includes the presentation of several reports, such as the Union Government Appropriation Accounts (Civil) 2023-2024 and the Union Government Finance Accounts for the year 2023-2024.

Union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary will present various reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), including those on Ordnance Factories, the Department of Revenue – Direct Taxes, and a Performance Audit on Training of Pilots in the Indian Air Force.

Initiated by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday, the discussion, titled “Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India,” will continue. Sitharaman launched a strong critique of the Congress party, accusing them of repeatedly undermining the Constitution through amendments designed to benefit the “family” and the “dynasty.”

In response, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge argued that the BJP has never respected the Constitution and expressed concern about its future under the current government.

This Rajya Sabha discussion follows a two-day debate on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha on December 13 and 14, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh criticised attempts to attribute the creation of the Constitution solely to one political party. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in her first Lok Sabha speech, asserted that the BJP would have altered the Constitution if not for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address, contrasted his government’s constitutional amendments with those made by the Congress, stating that they were not motivated by a desire to consolidate power. He argued that the Nehru-Gandhi family had a history of amending the Constitution to serve their interests.

PM Modi also outlined 11 resolutions for the country’s future, stating, “Inspired by the inherent spirit of the Constitution, I want to present 11 resolutions before the Parliament for the future of the country.”