By – Rohit Dwivedi
In a scathing attack on Congress, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and BJP leader Kiren Rijiju accused the opposition party of attacking the Constitution and changing its essence. Speaking in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, Rijiju raised questions about why Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, was never awarded the Bharat Ratna by Congress.
Rijiju’s remarks came during the debate on the 75th anniversary of India’s adoption of its Constitution. The minister criticized Congress for allegedly altering the preamble and the core principles of the Constitution. “You attacked the Constitution, you changed its essence. How can you now accuse others?” Rijiju asked.
Addressing accusations from the opposition regarding the safety of minorities in India, Rijiju argued that when minorities face persecution, they seek refuge in India, not in any other country. He pointed out that despite criticism of India, people from countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka turn to India for protection. He asked, “When minorities are persecuted, they first seek safety in India. Why then do some people claim that minorities are not safe in India?”
Rijiju also took Congress to task for not honoring Dr. B.R. Ambedkar with the Bharat Ratna during their rule. “You always talk about Baba Saheb, but you did not give him the Bharat Ratna. After 1956, it was Jawaharlal Nehru who was awarded the Bharat Ratna, and even Indira Gandhi awarded herself the same. When V.P. Singh defeated Congress, he formed a government with BJP’s support, and then Baba Saheb was given the Bharat Ratna,” he stated.
The debate in the Lok Sabha began on December 13 as part of a two-day discussion on the Constitution. On the previous day, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also delivered intense speeches, with the ongoing winter session of Parliament running until December 20.
Rijiju’s comments have sparked a fresh round of political debate in the country, particularly about the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar and the ongoing discourse surrounding the Constitution.