Congress Only Made Amendments In Constitution To Help The Family: Nirmala Sitharaman
New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday launched a scathing attack on former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the Congress during a Constitution debate in the Rajya Sabha. She accused the grand old party of amending the Constitution repeatedly to restrict civil liberties.
She alleged that the first amendment under Nehru was opposed to media scrutiny, and his interim government restricted the freedom of expression and the independence of the press within a year of its adoption.
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“In the last seven decades, this living document, our Constitution, has seen many amendments. This first amendment was done to harm the press, and it is still affecting the freedom of media. This amendment was done by PM Nehru despite MPs being against it,” Sitharaman said.
She then went on to accuse the Congress of amending the Constitution several times to protect its leadership and dynasty. The minister said that the 39th Constitutional Amendment was made during the Emergency as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was “scared” of losing power.
“The amendments were not about strengthening democracy but protecting those in power,” stated Sitharaman.
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When Congress MP Jairam Ramesh called out Sitharaman for cherry-picking facts, she sought an apology from him for accusing her of lying. The BJP leader added, “Lying is in the Congress’s blood. Somebody had to go to court to say sorry. Not only did they call PM Modi a chor (thief), they kept calling me a liar. I don’t mind seeing another member going to the court to apologise.”
The minister also called for a critical evaluation of amendments based on whether they were genuine, outcomes for the people, the processes adopted, and adherence to the spirit of the Constitution.
The debate comes following a no-confidence motion filed by opposition parties against Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar. Leading the INDIA alliance charge against Dhankar, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Rajya Sabha was “being run by politics, not rules.”
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He accused the Rajya Sabha chairman of indulging in “partisan behaviour” and targeting the opposition leaders and not giving them a chance to speak while praising the ruling government.
Proceedings in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been marred by disruptions over issues including allegations against billionaire Gautam Adani and George Soros since the past two weeks.
