Starting the debate to mark the Constitution's 75th anniversary in the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of repeatedly undermining the Constitution through amendments. She pointed to the first Constitutional amendment in 1951, stating that it was aimed at curbing freedom of speech and expression. Sitharaman criticized India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, alleging that he deplored press scrutiny of his government while publicly praising press freedom.

Sitharaman also brought up the arrest of poet-lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri and actor Balraj Sahni in 1949. She claimed they were jailed for expressing dissent against Nehru, highlighting the "level of tolerance" under the Congress rule. She argued that this suppression of freedom of speech contradicted the Congress's current stance on defending Constitutional freedoms.

The Finance Minister further criticized Congress’s history of banning books and films that questioned its leadership. She referred to the banning of the book Nehru: A Political Biography by Michael Edwardes, and the film Kissa Kursi Ka during Indira Gandhi’s tenure. Sitharaman also pointed out the ban on Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses in 1988, accusing Congress of a long history of stifling freedom of expression.

On the issue of Constitutional amendments, Sitharaman alleged that Congress governments used them not to strengthen democracy, but to shield those in power. She cited the 39th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1975, which barred courts from challenging the elections of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Lok Sabha Speaker. She argued that this amendment was enacted to protect Indira Gandhi's position after an adverse judgment by the Allahabad High Court.

Sitharaman also referred to the Shah Bano case during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure as Prime Minister. She criticized the Congress for passing the Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Divorce Act in 1986, which she claimed denied Muslim women their right to alimony, undermining their legal rights after a Supreme Court judgment in their favor.

Highlighting the imposition of Emergency in 1975, Sitharaman said it was a clear example of the Congress prioritizing power over democracy. She argued that these actions were a betrayal of the principles enshrined in the Constitution.

In response, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of disrespecting the Constitution and the national flag. He asserted that the Constitution was under threat under the current government. Kharge also defended the Congress's legacy, pointing to Indira Gandhi’s leadership in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh. Referring to the turmoil in Bangladesh, he urged the BJP to focus on protecting minorities and ensuring stability in the region.

The debate underscored sharp ideological divides, with both parties invoking historical events and policies to justify their respective positions on the Constitution and governance.

Disclaimer:This image is taken from NDTV.