President Droupadi Murmu with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, PM Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, LoP in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi during 'Samvidhan Divas' function at Samvidhan Sadan in Delhi.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: Leaders of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar seeking a two-day debate dedicated to the Constitution as the country is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its adoption.
The letter raising the demand came following the decision taken at a meeting of Congress Parliamentary Strategy Group on Monday evening chaired by Congress president Kharge.
DMK also joined the Congress in demanding a debate through a separate letter by its Leader in Lok Sabha TR Baalu writing to Birla seeking to include a discussion on President Droupadi Murmu’s speech on Constitution Day celebrations at the Central Hall in Samvidhan Sabha.
In his letter, Baalu said the President’s address in the Central Hall on Tuesday did not mention salient features of the Constitution like “socialist” and “secular”. He added, “it has been contemplated in the procedure of Parliament that the address of the President must be allowed for discussion to enlighten the nation further.”
Also, Congress Lok Sabha Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi, Chief Whip Kodikkunnil Suresh and Whip Manickam Tagore met Birla to raise the demand for a discussion in Lok Sabha, sources said.
On the demand, Tagore said such a debate would help MPs express their feelings and commitment.
“We have also seen that on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar, debates happened for 13 hours, on two days. As well, on the occasion of 75th anniversary of ‘Bharat Chodo Andolan’ (Quit India), debates happened. We demand a discussion,” he posted on ‘X’.
Congress and other Opposition parties had weaved a campaign around the Constitution during the Lok Sabha campaign, which played a key role in its improved performance in the general elections.
If the demand for a dedicated debate is accepted, sources said the Congress and other parties intend to highlight the “challenges” faced by the Constitution in the present times. In speeches, they said they could raise several issues confronting the country and put the government on the mat.
Opposition leaders, including Rahul, had accused the Narendra Modi government of circumventing the Constitution.