PM Narendra Modi vs LoP Rahul Gandhi: Lok Sabha witnesses fiery debate on Constitution

 The day witnessed a major political face-off as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi exchanged sharp barbs, questioning each other’s commitment to the Constitution while presenting contrasting ideological visions for India.

Rahul Gandhi hit out at the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, linking their values to the Manusmriti and citing Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar's critique of the Constitution. Drawing from the Mahabharata, Gandhi narrated the story of Eklavya, comparing Dronacharya’s demand for Eklavya's thumb to what he described as the government’s suppression of marginalised communities.

The Leader of Opposition outlined his vision, promising the implementation of a caste census and increasing reservation limits beyond the current 50% cap if elected to power. Quoting B.R. Ambedkar, Gandhi emphasised, “If there is political equality but no social and economic equality, political equality will be destroyed.”

Countering Gandhi’s accusations Prime Minister Modi launched a blistering attack on the Nehru-Gandhi family. Speaking at the conclusion of a two-day discussion on 75 years of the Constitution, in Lok Sabha, Modi highlighted what he termed the family’s “sins”, framing them as impediments to India’s progress.

Modi showcased his government’s work over the past decade as being guided by the spirit of the Constitution. He cited achievements such as the abrogation of Article 370, providing rations to over 80 crore people, building toilets, improving livelihoods, and pushing for a Uniform Civil Code.

The prime minister also responded to Congress's frequent use of the term jumla (a phrase used to dismiss BJP’s promises). He said, “The biggest jumla in India, used across four generations, was Indira Gandhi’s garibi hatao slogan. They did nothing for the poor.”

In a no-holds-barred attack on the past Congress prime ministers—Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi—Modi accused them of altering the Constitution for political gain. He claimed Nehru first amended the Constitution, even before being an elected prime minister, to curtail the right to freedom of speech. “Nehru wrote to chief ministers saying that if the Constitution comes in our way, it should be amended. The Congress developed a taste for tinkering with the Constitution and kept hunting for it,” Modi said.

He targeted Indira Gandhi for amending the Constitution to clip the powers of the Supreme Court and imposing the Emergency. “That sin will never be wiped off Congress’s face,” Modi declared. Referring to Rajiv Gandhi, Modi criticised his government for amending the Constitution to overturn the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Shah Bano case. He also accused Rajiv’s successor generation of disrespecting the Constitution by tearing up an ordinance cleared by the government. “Unlike Congress, we have amended the Constitution to strengthen the country,” Modi asserted.

On Congress’s promise regarding reservations, Modi accused the party of pushing for religion-based quotas, which was also rejected by the Constituent Assembly. He termed Congress’s reservation plank as an appeasement strategy aimed at securing votes.

Concluding his 110-minute speech, Modi presented his vision for the nation through 11 resolutions: upholding reservations for marginalised sections; an end to dynastic politics; promoting meritocracy; zero tolerance to corruption; everyone perform their duties; inclusive development; instill pride in the country's laws and regulations; breaking free from colonial mindset; respecting the Constitution; women-led development, fostering national development; 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat.'

After two days of discussion in Lok Sabha, now, the debate will be held in Rajya Sabha.