NEW DELHI : Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led a strong counter-attack from the opposition on the first day of the Lok Sabha’s big debate on Friday. She raised the red flag on several issues ranging from the 2017 Unnao rape and last month’s violence in Sambhal.
She launched scathing attacks on the BJP’s ‘plan’ to rewrite the Constitution and strongly advocated for a national caste census, which has been the opposition’s main demand.
The Congress MP criticised the BJP over the use of federal agencies to ‘censor’ rivals – a charge often levelled by the opposition, especially ahead of elections, and made a mockery of ‘washing machines’. Delivering her maiden speech in response to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s opening remarks. “A few days ago, some people from the bereaved families of Sambhal came to meet us… Among them were two children – Adnan and Uzair. One was of my son’s age (Raihan Vadra is 24 years old) and the other was about 17 years old. Their father was a tailor who had only one dream… to see his sons get educated.” “The police shot their father. Adnan told me that he would grow up to become a doctor and fulfill his father’s dream. A dream that the Constitution of India has given him,” Priyanka said.
On the occasion of completion of 75 years of the making of the Constitution, she spoke on behalf of the Congress in the two-day discussion in the Lok Sabha on Friday (13 December 2024). This was her first speech in a major discussion. She said – “In a slow and thoughtful speech, she said that our Constitution is our lighthouse, our ‘security shield’… it keeps the citizens safe. But it is sad that in 10 years, the ruling party (referring to the BJP) colleagues who make tall claims have tried to break this ‘kawach’ (armour).” “The work of breaking this ‘kawach’ has already begun,” Mrs Gandhi Vadra warned the Lower House.

She reiterated the warning of Congress leaders led by her brother Rahul Gandhi and other opposition MPs – that the BJP, emboldened by its third consecutive term, will change the Constitution at the fundamental level. “Our Constitution is a protective shield. A protective shield that protects citizens. It is a shield of justice, of unity, of the right to expression. It is sad that in 10 years, the ruling party colleagues who make tall claims have tried their best to break this shield. The Constitution promises social,

economic and political justice. These promises are protective shields and the work of breaking it has begun. Through lateral entry and privatisation, this government is trying to weaken reservation,” she said. Congress general secretary Vadra’s attacks included highlighting the opposition’s demand for a caste census. “Today people are demanding a caste census. A colleague from the ruling party (Union minister Ramdas Athawale, whose Republican Party of India (A) is an ally of the BJP) also mentioned it. “Caste census is necessary so that we can know the status of all and policies can be made accordingly,” he said. “Today people are demanding a caste census to understand the reality of the country… but the government shirks responsibility. Questions the actions of former prime minister (Jawaharlal) Nehru. What is your responsibility?” he asked amid loud cheers from Congress MPs.
“… caste census is the need of the hour, but they trivialise it by discussing things like mangalsutra,” he said, referring to the controversy over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks ahead of the April-May federal election this year. “The Congress is looting people’s property and giving it to “infiltrators”… Priyanka pointed to her mother and grandmother on the prime minister’s mangalsutra remark. “He (Prime Minister) says that Congress wants to snatch your gold…your mangalsutra. It has been 70 years since the country got independence…Congress ruled for 55 years. Did anyone snatch your gold or mangalsutra? Indira Gandhi gave her gold…my mother gave up her mangalsutra…”
Earlier it was expected that Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi would raise many important issues while starting the discussion on the Constitution in Parliament, but later Priyanka Gandhi’s name was decided for this. Before the two-day discussion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a strategy meeting, in which Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, besides BJP President JP Nadda also participated. Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah also held a meeting with senior BJP ministers in his office in Parliament House. There has been a debate in the House for the last several days. The House is being adjourned repeatedly amid heavy uproar. Before Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, BJP veteran leader Rajnath Singh gave a speech in the Lok Sabha.
There has been a debate in the House for the last several days. The House is being adjourned repeatedly amid heavy uproar. Before Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, BJP’s veteran leader Rajnath Singh gave a speech in the Lok Sabha. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the Constitution is our voice. The Constitution has given the right to discussion. The Constitution has given the common man the power to change the government. Along with this, Priyanka Gandhi said that if the results of the Lok Sabha elections had not come like this, the people in power would have changed the Constitution itself. The Constitution of the country has done good to the poor people. This has given a lot of freedom to the poor and women.

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