“PM Modi’s Apparent Support…”: Siddaramaiah Tears Into Hegde’s ‘Changing Constitution’ Comments

Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah launched a scathing attack on former Union Minister and BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde’s recent remarks regarding amending the Constitution. Hegde’s statement, suggesting the necessity for the BJP to secure 400 seats to safeguard Hinduism by altering the Constitution, has drawn severe criticism from Siddaramaiah.

In his response, Siddaramaiah condemned Hegde’s comments, alleging that they reflect not merely his personal views but an underlying agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He asserted that the Constitution, crafted by Dr BR Ambedkar, guarantees equal rights to all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation, and any attempts to tamper with it are tantamount to undermining its sanctity.

Highlighting the potential consequences of such alterations, Siddaramaiah warned that the BJP’s purported agenda could lead to the reinforcement of archaic caste-based practices, endangering the rights and welfare of marginalized communities, particularly OBCs and Dalits. He accused Hegde and the BJP of seeking to dismantle the existing reservation system, a crucial mechanism for ensuring social justice and equity.

Siddaramaiah criticised the apparent silence of senior BJP members, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Hegde’s controversial statements, insinuating their complicity. He called upon PM Modi to unequivocally disassociate from Hegde’s views and take decisive action against him, emphasizing that failure to do so would imply tacit endorsement of Hegde’s anti-constitutional stance.

“Observing the silent endorsement from senior BJP members and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s apparent support, it’s clear they align with Hegde’s views. If Modi disagrees with Hegde’s opinions, he should first expel him from the party. Failing to act against Hegde suggests the Prime Minister’s implicit agreement. It seems Modi’s public declarations of allegiance to the Constitution are merely superficial,” the Karnataka Chief Minister wrote on X.

The Karnataka Chief Minister urged the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to initiate stringent disciplinary measures against Hegde, including his permanent disqualification from electoral contests, citing his blatant violation of the oath to uphold the Constitution.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia has categorically stated that the comments by Anantkumar Hegde on the Constitution “doesn’t reflect the views of the party”.

“This is to very categorically state that the statement made by Anantkumar Hedge, a member of Parliament from the BJP, doesn’t reflect the views of the party. He has been asked to furnish a reply under clarification on the statement he has made,” Mr Bhatia said as per a video released by news agency PTI.