At a recent event celebrating Constitution Day at Talkatora Stadium, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, made bold statements about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Constitution. Gandhi claimed that he could say with certainty that PM Modi has never read the Constitution. “If PM Modi had read this book, he wouldn’t act the way he does every day,” Gandhi remarked while holding a copy of the document.
He emphasized that the Constitution advocates for social empowerment and reflects the ideals of influential leaders like B.R. Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, Lord Buddha, and Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi queried the presence of ideas advocating violence or deceit within the Constitution, insisting that it promotes truth and non-violence—representing India’s thoughts over the centuries.
Continuing his address, Gandhi highlighted the importance of conducting a caste census, promising that states governed by Congress would take action in this regard. He argued that the current system is biased against Dalits, backward classes, and tribal communities, and he believes that a caste census would help rectify this imbalance. According to him, once a Congress-led government has access to caste census data, it could fundamentally change the development narrative in the country.
Gandhi criticized the BJP for opposing a caste census, suggesting that the party seeks to maintain control by limiting representation to a small percentage of the population.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who also spoke at the event, stated that the recent elections showcased the success of the Congress’s Constitution-centered campaign, which garnered support from marginalized communities and intellectuals rallying to protect democracy.
Kharge raised questions about the government’s ostentatious celebration of Constitution Day, pointing out that those currently undermining the Constitution had ancestors who acted as informants for the British. He also accused the Adani Group of significantly influencing the Maharashtra Assembly elections, asserting that PM Modi has facilitated Adani’s wealth, which in turn is being used to support BJP campaigns.
In summary, both leaders voiced strong support for the Constitution and called for changes to promote equality and justice in India.
