If the glasses through which we view the Constitution are foreign, true Indianness will never be visible
A family may treat the party as their personal property, and similarly, they view the Constitution as their personal possession
The constitutional amendments made by our government were aimed at strengthening democracy and ensuring equal rights ro those who were deprived, whereas the opposition’s amendments were meant solely to keep the political power with them
The opposition has made a despicable attempt to deceive the public into supporting them during elections with the Constitution copies in their hands
The Constitution is not a tool for misleading or creating confusion in rallies; it is a symbol of belief and faith that must be respected
Those who speak ill of Veer Savarkar should take the time to read Indira Gandhi’s views on his greatness
Muslim Personal Law was introduced as the beginning of appeasement in this country after the Constitution was adopted
If you wish to implement Sharia, do so in its entirety—why selectively remove it from criminal law
Jawaharlal Nehru opposed naming the country ‘Bharat.’ If you view ‘Bharat’ through the lens of foreign influence, you will never truly understand its essence
Patriotism, bravery, and sacrifice are not confined to any one religion or ideology, a brave patriot or martyr belongs to the nation, not to any particular party or ideology
No one, except the opposition party, has shamelessly extended the tenure of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies by six years for political gain
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today delivered his reply in the Rajya Sabha during the discussion commemorating the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India.
Responding to the discussion in the Upper House, Shri Amit Shah emphasized that this deliberation serves two significant purposes. First, it highlights the immense progress our country has achieved under the framework of the Constitution. Second, it underscores how the democratic roots of our nation have deepened over the past 75 years, thanks to the Constitution’s foundational spirit. Shri Shah further remarked that this discussion sheds light on the consequences of attempts to undermine the essence of the Constitution. He expressed that such a discourse in both Houses of Parliament is not only enlightening for lawmakers shaping the nation’s future but also for the youth and teenagers, fostering their understanding of constitutional values. Additionally, Shri Shah noted that this conversation empowers citizens to assess which political parties have upheld the Constitution and which have failed to respect it.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah remarked that when India gained independence after a long and arduous struggle for freedom, many nations doubted the country’s ability to remain united or achieve economic self-reliance. Reflecting on 75 years since the adoption of the Constitution, he acknowledged the pivotal role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose relentless efforts ensured that India stands united and strong on the global stage today. Shri Shah highlighted that while democracy has faltered in many neighboring nations over the past 75 years, India’s democratic foundations have grown remarkably deep. He noted that significant political changes in the country have occurred peacefully, without bloodshed, underscoring the strength of its democratic ethos. He praised the Indian people for using democracy to crush the pride, arrogance, and ego of many dictators in a non-violent and constitutional manner. Addressing skepticism from the past about India’s economic prospects, Shri Shah emphasized that the nation, empowered by its Constitution and the determination of its citizens, has risen to become the world’s fifth-largest economy. He expressed pride in the fact that Britain, once India’s colonial ruler, now trails behind India in global economic rankings, calling it a moment of pride and renewed resolve for every Indian.
Union Home Minister highlighted that over 80 Members of Parliament actively participated in the 31-hour-long discussion. Reflecting on India’s progress, he remarked that the prophecies of Maharishi Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda appear to be coming true. They envisioned a day when Mother India, in her radiant and vigorous form, would captivate the world’s attention and inspire awe globally. He expressed confidence that India has made significant strides toward realizing that vision.
Shri Amit Shah emphasized that India’s Constitution, its Constituent Assembly, and the process of its creation are unparalleled among the constitutions of the world. He noted that the Constitution of India is the most detailed and comprehensive written Constitution, crafted through the traditional Indian practice of extensive deliberation. He highlighted the diverse composition of the Constituent Assembly, which had 299 members representing 22 religions, castes, and communities, as well as every princely state and kingdom, ensuring inclusive representation in shaping the nation’s future. Shri Shah pointed out that the process of drafting the Constitution involved continuous and meticulous discussions over 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days. The Constituent Assembly adopted a resolution to steer the country forward by integrating its aspirations, governance principles, and cultural traditions. The task was meticulously organized through 13 committees, with a 7-member drafting committee leading the effort. Remarkably, India’s draft Constitution was shared with the public for comments—an extraordinary act of democratic engagement rare among nations. Shri Shah noted that this Constitution, rooted in such profound democratic traditions, consists of 295 articles, 22 parts, and 12 schedules, embodying liberal human values unmatched by any other Constitution in the world. He expressed immense pride in the Constitution and stated that it commands the utmost respect and reverence from every Indian.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah highlighted the profound symbolism within India’s Constitution, emphasizing its unique reflection of the nation’s cultural and historical heritage. He noted that the Constitution features depictions of Lord Ram, Buddha, Mahavir, and Guru Gobind Singh, as well as the Gurukul system, which provides insights into the ideal structure of education. The illustrations of Lord Ram, Sita, and Laxman, he said, represent our fundamental rights, while the inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita, Shivaji Maharaj, and Rani Lakshmibai conveys powerful lessons in patriotism. Shri Shah explained that Nalanda University symbolizes India’s ancient education system, while the image of Nataraja embodies the principle of balance in life. He stressed that these depictions are not mere illustrations but profound proclamations of India’s civilizational ethos spanning thousands of years. He remarked that understanding the messages these symbols convey is essential, as the Constitution loses its significance if its essence is not embraced. Shri Shah firmly rejected the notion that India’s Constitution is a mere copy of others. While acknowledging that it incorporates valuable elements from global constitutions, he pointed out that this aligns with the Rigvedic principle of embracing goodness and auspicious thoughts from all corners of the world with an open mind.
Shri Amit Shah remarked that viewing the Constitution through a foreign lens prevents one from truly appreciating its inherent Indianness. He criticized those who have reduced the Constitution to mere words by omitting its symbolic illustrations, calling it a betrayal of its spirit. Shri Shah paid tribute to the members of the Constituent Assembly, including stalwarts like Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, Shri Katju, K.T. Shah, Maulana Azad, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, and K.M. Munshi, who enriched the Constitution through extensive discussions and intellectual contributions. He further acknowledged that the Constitution also embodies the principles and sentiments of visionaries such as Swami Vivekananda, Maharishi Aurobindo, Mahatma Gandhi, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Veer Savarkar, and Lala Lajpat Rai—leaders who upheld high values in nation-building, democracy, and cultural traditions. Shri Shah concluded by affirming that a Constitution imbued with the wisdom and ideals of such great minds was destined for success.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah emphasized the importance of reflecting on the 75-year journey of the Constitution and how it has been upheld by various political parties and governments. He recalled Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s profound observation that the effectiveness of a Constitution ultimately depends on those entrusted with its implementation. Dr. Ambedkar had stated that even the best Constitution can fail if managed by unsuitable individuals, while even a flawed Constitution can succeed under the stewardship of capable and positive leaders. Shri Shah remarked that over the past 75 years, India has witnessed instances of both scenarios, highlighting the critical role of leadership in shaping the legacy of the Constitution.
Shri Amit Shah asserted that India’s Constitution has never been viewed as immutable, and emphasized that the country, its laws, and society must evolve with time. He pointed out that Article 368 of the Constitution itself allows for amendments to accommodate these changes. Shri Shah highlighted that under his party’s leadership, spanning 16 years, with 6 years under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and 10 years and counting under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, 22 amendments have been made to the Constitution. In contrast, he noted that the opposition party implemented 77 constitutional amendments during its 55 years in power. Shri Shah questioned the intent behind these amendments, asking whether they were aimed at strengthening democracy, ensuring equal rights for all citizens, or preserving political power. He stressed that the character of a party, its approach to governance, and its commitment to the Constitution are revealed through the purpose and motivations behind constitutional amendments.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, outlined key constitutional amendments and their implications on India’s democratic framework. He began by referring to the first amendment on June 18, 1951, which was enacted by the Constituent Assembly itself. Shri Shah highlighted the introduction of Article 19A in this amendment, which, he explained, was aimed at curbing freedom of expression. He pointed out that the first amendment, brought during Jawaharlal Nehru’s tenure as Prime Minister, was specifically designed to limit freedom of speech. Shri Shah then turned to the 24th Constitutional Amendment, introduced by Indira Gandhi’s government on November 5, 1971. He noted that this amendment granted Parliament the authority to limit the fundamental rights of citizens. Further, he discussed the 39th Constitutional Amendment, which he described as a significant overreach. Shri Shah marked August 10, 1975, as a dark day in constitutional history, when the Allahabad High Court invalidated Indira Gandhi’s election. In response, he explained, Indira Gandhi’s government passed a constitutional amendment that barred judicial review of the Prime Minister’s position. This amendment was made with retrospective effect, meaning that even previously pending cases were dismissed.
Shri Amit Shah contrasted the leadership styles of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and previous leaders, highlighting PM Modi’s humility in referring to himself as the “Pradhan Sewak” of the people, as opposed to others who claimed immunity from legal accountability, asserting that no one could challenge their authority. He pointed out that while the Constitution granted rights, some leaders undermined those very rights. Shri Shah recalled that it was Indira Gandhi who, through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, extended the term of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies from five to six years. He argued that this was done out of fear that early elections would result in a loss, thus prolonging her party’s hold on power. He criticized this amendment as one of the most shameless acts of constitutional manipulation in history.
Turning to the achievements of the current government, Shri Shah emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first and 101st Constitutional Amendments were brought on July 1, 2017, with the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He lauded the Modi government for unifying India’s economy, resolving long-standing issues, and ensuring the welfare of the people across the vast nation, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Kamakhya to Dwarka. Shri Shah also pointed out that while the opposition supported GST, they refused to guarantee compensation to the states. In contrast, the Modi government not only implemented GST but also guaranteed compensation to states based on their growth rates for ten years. He concluded by asserting that these amendments were essential for streamlining the country’s economy.
Shri Amit Shah outlined several key constitutional amendments introduced by the Modi government to strengthen social justice and empower marginalized communities. He highlighted the 102nd Constitutional Amendment, which granted constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes, a move that was not pursued by the opposition. He criticized the opposition for not prioritizing the welfare of backward castes, emphasizing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the initiative to make this change. Shri Shah also spoke about the 103rd Constitutional Amendment, introduced on January 12, 2019, which provided 10 percent reservation to the children of economically disadvantaged castes who had not benefited from any other form of reservation. He pointed out that despite years of promises by the opposition to address poverty alleviation, it was only under PM Modi’s leadership that this crucial measure was implemented, ensuring better opportunities for the poor.
Turning to the 105th Constitutional Amendment, Shri Shah explained that it transferred the authority to determine backwardness to state governments, ensuring greater local empowerment and representation for backward classes. He also mentioned the 106th Constitutional Amendment, enacted on December 28, 2023, which introduced the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, providing 33 percent reservation for women in both Houses of Parliament. This, he said, was a significant step toward fulfilling the vision of the Constitution’s framers in promoting gender equality. Furthermore, Shri Shah highlighted the government’s success in passing a law to end the practice of triple talaq, a reform that directly benefited Muslim women. He criticized the opposition for politicizing the rights of Muslim women, while the Modi government worked to secure their dignity and legal rights.
Shri Amit Shah outlined several significant reforms introduced by the Modi government, including the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020, the bill for reservation in Jammu and Kashmir, and the implementation of three New Criminal Laws. He emphasized that the Narendra Modi government has modernized India’s criminal justice system by replacing the outdated laws, which were formulated under British rule over 160 years ago. By making these changes, he said, Prime Minister Modi has not only transformed the legal framework but also freed the country from the colonial mindset, replacing foreign-imposed laws with those crafted by India’s own Parliament. Shri Shah also mentioned the tradition of presenting the budget at 5:30 PM, a time chosen to coincide with 11:00 PM in Britain, a practice rooted in India’s colonial past. He credited Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government for changing this practice, thus ending this colonial influence.
Shri Amit Shah criticized the opposition for using the Constitution as a political tool in the elections, claiming that they were waving the copies of Constitution to mislead the public and secure votes dishonestly. He condemned this as an unprecedented act in India’s political history, asserting that the Constitution is not at all a symbol to be exploited for political gains but a sacred belief that demands respect. He further pointed out the alarming discovery during the Maharashtra elections, where blank pages of the Constitution were found in copies distributed to the public, labelling it a fraudulent misuse of the Constitution—an act that had never occurred in the independent India’s 75-year history.
Shri Amit Shah honored the sacrifices made by the soldiers of India, who lay down their lives to protect the country’s soil. He emphasized that if even an inch of India’s land were to be ceded to another nation, it would require an amendment to Article 1 of the Constitution. He then pointed out that the previous government had ceded the Katchatheevu island, near Tamil Nadu, to Sri Lanka through an agreement, and did so without seeking a constitutional amendment. He criticized this as a reckless act, noting that no other nation’s leadership had engaged in such actions as the previous government had in India.
Shri Shah also criticized the actions surrounding Article 35A, which was imposed by a Presidential order without the approval of Parliament. In contrast, he highlighted that the Modi government had sought and received approval from both Houses of Parliament to remove Article 370. He remarked that the opposition party treated the Constitution as personal property, much like how they viewed their party as a family-owned entity.
Union Home Minister also reflected on the dark days of the Emergency, when millions were unjustly imprisoned without cause. He described the atmosphere of fear that prevailed in the country, with censorship imposed on the media, citing the example of Indian Express publishing a blank editorial page. He recalled how, during this time, the government claimed that whatever it decided would become law. Shri Shah underscored that the Emergency was imposed solely to protect Indira Gandhi’s political position after the Allahabad High Court disqualified her as an MP. He clarified that there was no external threat or internal security crisis, and the Emergency was a mere power grab.
Shri Amit Shah emphasized the importance of the ongoing debate on the Constitution, stating that it serves to reveal the actions of the previous government. He pointed out that the public has held them accountable in such a way that they can no longer even think of tampering with the Constitution. He further explained that this is precisely why Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi decided to celebrate Constitution Day on November 26 — to ensure that everyone can truly understand and embrace the spirit of the Constitution.
Union Home Minister highlighted several significant initiatives taken by the Modi government to honour India’s history and culture. He noted that the Rajpath was renamed as Kartavya Path, and the statue of King George V at India Gate was replaced with that of Subhash Chandra Bose. The symbol of the Navy, once given by the British, was replaced with the symbol of Veer Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In addition, the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda was celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, and the National War Memorial was established, with the Amar Jawan Jyoti being merged into it. Shri Amit Shah also mentioned that PM Modi ensured the installation of the Sengol in Parliament, built a new Parliament building, and led efforts to bring back 345 stolen Indian statues and artifacts from around the world. He highlighted the National Education Policy 2020, which made primary education in the mother tongue compulsory. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were renamed Shaheed and Swaraj Dweep. In Lutyens’ Delhi, Race Course Road was renamed Lok Kalyan Marg, and Dalhousie Marg was renamed after Dara Shikoh. Furthermore, the Modi government abolished over 1,500 outdated laws to streamline governance.
Shri Amit Shah pointed out that the Kaka Saheb Kalekar Commission, formed in 1955 to recommend reservation for OBCs, had submitted a report that was never acted upon. He stated that had the report been accepted, there would have been no need for the Mandal Commission’s report, which also went unimplemented. In contrast, he praised Prime Minister Modi for granting constitutional recognition to the OBC Commission, thereby giving due respect to the backward classes. Shri Shah also highlighted that reservation based on religion currently exists in two states, which he deemed unconstitutional. He assured that as long as even one member of their party remains in Parliament, they would not allow reservations based on religion.
Union Home Minister stated that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was delayed because, following the Constituent Assembly elections, Muslim Personal Law was introduced, which led to a policy of appeasement. He emphasized that the UCC, which could have brought significant social change, was passed as a model law by the Uttarakhand government. Shri Amit Shah also mentioned that when the Modi government assumed power, a memorial was constructed at Dr. Ambedkar’s birthplace in Mhow (Madhya Pradesh), and April 14 was declared as Rashtriya Samarasta Diwas. He pointed out that the opposition had upheld the temporary provision of Article 370 for 70 years. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, stating that it took someone with great resolve to remove Article 370 and 35A in a single stroke, and it happened when PM Modi returned to power in 2019.
Shri Amit Shah emphasized that every individual has the right to live with dignity under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. He criticized previous governments for their failure to alleviate poverty despite slogans like “Garibi Hatao,” noting that these governments kept people in poverty for 75 years. In contrast, he highlighted the achievements of the Narendra Modi government, which provided 9.6 crore poor women with Ujjwala gas connections, built toilets for 12 crore households, ensured pure drinking water for 12.65 crore households, and delivered electricity to 18,000 villages. He also pointed out that the government transferred Rs. 2.40 lakh crore to the accounts of 14.5 crore farmers through Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), created 36 crore Ayushman cards, and provided free treatment to 8.19 crore patients. Additionally, the Modi government now offers free medical treatment up to Rs. 5 lakh to any person above the age of 70, regardless of income group.
Union Home Minister highlighted several key welfare initiatives by the Modi government, including the introduction of the One Nation One Ration Card system, which benefited 80 crore people, and the provision of 5 kg of free grain. He also mentioned that the government allocated Rs. 11 thousand crore to support 1 crore street vendors and empowered two crore women under the “Lakhpati Didi” scheme. Additionally, artisans have been supported through the Vishwakarma Yojana.
Shri Amit Shah addressed the mention of Veer Savarkar in the Lok Sabha, stressing that the title “Veer” was not added to Savarkar’s name by any party or government, but was bestowed upon him by the 140 crore people of India due to his unparalleled bravery. He condemned any negative remarks about such a patriotic figure in the Parliament. He reminded that during the freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947, only Veer Savarkar received two life sentences. Shri Shah also quoted Savarkar’s poignant words, “O Motherland, life without you is like death,” highlighting the deep devotion Savarkar had for the nation.
Original News Source: Press Information Bureau