Discussion on constitution day in RS remains inconclusive
TIA NEWS
The Lok Sabha today witnessed uproarious scene during a debate on the issue of growing intolerance when CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim attributed a statement to Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Mr Salim, who initiated the debate, referred to a magazine during the course of his speech and alleged that Mr Singh had reportedly stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first Hindu leader heading the government at the Centre after hundreds of years.
During the discussion, the Home Minister took serious exception to the allegation and clarified that he has not given such a statement. Mr Singh said, he is deeply hurt by the allegation and demanded that Mr Salim should apologize to the House. The House also witnessed repeated adjournments over the issue.
Later, Speaker Ms Sumitra Mahajan ruled that the remarks of CPI-M member against Home Minister will not be part of the today’s proceedings. After the ruling, the House resumed discussion on the issue which continued till evening. During discussion, Mr Salim said that there is a need for corrective measures to deal with the issue. Participating in the discussion, K C Venugopal of Congress accused the government of maintaining silence over the issue.
On the other hand, BJP member Meenakshi Lekhi said India is not an intolerant country and there is no evidence of intolerance. She said, incidents like Dadri are condemnable and the respective States should have taken steps to check the violence. TMC member Dinesh Trivedi called for unity in the society. BJD member Bhartruhari Mehtab demanded setting up a Communal Harmony Commission to pacify the agitating groups.
The Rajya Sabha today resumed discussion on Commitment to India’s Constitution as part of 125th birth anniversary celebration of Dr B R Ambedkar. Speaking in the discussion, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said it is time for all to think how far the expectations of founding fathers of the Constitution have been achieved during the last 68 years. He said it is the responsibility of all to address the problems of the people relating to regional imbalances, religion, caste and creed and reservation for women in Parliament.
He said the country is yet to achieve common civil code, which will strengthen national unity. He said the incidents of intolerance should be addressed saying that mutual respect brings tolerance. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said the real tribute to the architect of the Constitution is to follow his vision for the development of the country.
Participating in the discussion, Praful Patel of the NCP said, it is not just tolerance and inequality, many things have happened over the years. He said, all parties instead of trying to take political mileage by invoking name of Dr B R Ambedkar, should focus on strengthening the Constitution and Constitutional institutions.
BSP Chief Mayawati called for introspection into implementation of the Constitution. Participating in the discussion, she said simply observing 26th of every November as Constitution Day is not enough. She said the real tribute to Dr B R Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, will be to ensure the uplift of the poor and downtrodden.
M J Akbar of BJP said it was Dr Ambedkar who pointed out that rights without remedy has no meaning and instead that reservation be incorporated in the Constitution. Congress member Ashwani Kumar said Indian Constitution is meant to serve the people and amendments should not be made for political motives. Mr Kumar said, Dr Ambedkar had agreed that there was no need to incorporate the word secularism in the Constitution. Discussion remained inconclusive and will continue tomorrow.
K T S Tulsi, nominated, said he always believed that the Constitution of India is the best Constitution in the world and secularism is its cornerstone. He said, the Home Minister should not forget that the Constitution was made at a time of Partition which experienced most gruesome killing of more than a million people, more were raped, when hundreds and thousands of houses were burnt and many more million people were uprooted from one part of the country to the other.