Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a strong critique of the BJP-led government in the Lok Sabha today, marking 75 years since the adoption of India’s Constitution. In his speech, Gandhi drew a sharp contrast between the Constitution and the Manusmriti, a religious text, referencing the views of Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar.
Gandhi quoted Savarkar, who reportedly claimed, “The worst thing about the Constitution of India is that there is nothing Indian about it. Manusmriti is the scripture most revered after the Vedas in our Hindu nation, forming the foundation of our culture, customs, thought, and practices. For centuries, this book has codified the spiritual and divine path of our nation. Today, Manusmriti is law.” Gandhi further emphasized Savarkar’s belief that India’s Constitution should be replaced by the Manusmriti. Holding both the Constitution and the Manusmriti, Gandhi declared, “This is what the fight is about.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused BJP leaders of insulting the memory of Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar by praising the Indian Constitution. In his speech, Gandhi questioned the ruling party’s stance, asking, “Do you stand by your leader’s words? Do you support them? Because when you speak in Parliament about protecting the Constitution, you are ridiculing Savarkar, you are abusing him, you are defaming him.”
In response, BJP MP Anurag Thakur fired back with a sharp rebuttal, focusing on Congress’ own historical record, particularly criticizing the Emergency imposed during Indira Gandhi’s tenure as Prime Minister.
BJP MP Anurag Thakur dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s symbolic display of the Constitution, accusing him of lacking a proper understanding of the document. Thakur remarked, “There are some who carry the Samvidhaan (Constitution) in their pockets but can’t tell the number of pages,” implying that Gandhi’s actions were superficial.
Earlier in the day, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also took aim at the Congress, accusing the party of selectively appropriating constitutional values while overlooking its historical contradictions. Rijiju criticized Congress for its late recognition of Dr. BR Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution, and alleged that the party had marginalized his contributions. Citing a document, Rijiju highlighted Dr. Ambedkar’s critique of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, claiming that Nehru’s focus on appeasement politics had sidelined the concerns of Scheduled Castes.
While Rahul Gandhi targeted Savarkar, his sister and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, during her maiden speech in the Lok Sabha, accused the BJP of conflating the ‘Bharat ka Samvidhan’ (Indian Constitution) with the ‘Sangh ka Vidhan’ (RSS Constitution).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to deliver the closing remarks in the ongoing two-day debate on the Constitution. His address will likely conclude the discussions and offer the government’s perspective on the issues raised during the debate.
