Congress amended Constitution to curtail freedom of speech: Amit Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Congress party for amending the Constitution multiple times "with an intent to save one family".

Speaking at the debate on the Constitution in Rajya Sabha, Shah said the BJP ruled for 16 years—including six years of Atal Bihari Vajpayee government—where it amended the Constitution 22 times. But the Congress ruled the country for 55 years and amended the Constitution 77 times.

“Both BJP and Congress made changes in the Constitution, but what was the purpose of this change? The first amendment was made in the Constitution during the time of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and 19A was added. This amendment was made to curtail freedom of speech and expression. Similarly, the 24th amendment was made and through this, the fundamental rights of the citizens were curtailed. Similarly, the Congress made many amendments to the Constitution only for its own purpose,” Shah said

Shah, in a bristling attack on the Congress, added that the Congress nurtured Article 370 like its illegitimate child. “When Modi became PM again in 2019, Article 370 was abolished in one stroke in this very House. These people used to say that if Article 370 is removed then blood will flow, but today no one has the courage to even throw a pebble.” 

He even questioned the grand old party amidst protests from the Opposition benches that how Article 35A was inserted in the Constitution without any debate or voting. Parliament is considered as a private property of one family, he charged.

Addressing the charges against the BJP over the reservation, the Home Minister said religion-based reservations exist in only two states of the country, which was unconstitutional. “It is clearly stated in the Constitution that no reservation will be based on religion. But when Congress was in power in both these states, reservation was given based on religion. They (Congress) do not want any welfare of OBCs, they want to give reservation to Muslims by increasing the limit of 50 per cent.”

"I say with responsibility in this House that as long as the BJP has even one MP, we will not allow reservation on the basis of religion," Shah said with treasury benches applauding him.

The former BJP president also singled out Rahul Gandhi for his attack. Without naming him, Shah said that some people talk about Mohabbat Ki Dukan.  

“Love is not something to be sold from a shop, love is not something to be advertised. Love is an emotion to reside in the heart, love is a moment to make others feel it.”

Shah said he has never seen anyone waving the Constitution in public meetings. “The Congress party leaders made a despicable attempt by waving the Constitution and telling lies. The Constitution is not a matter of waving or misleading, the Constitution is faith, the Constitution is devotion.” 

Shah said the first amendment made in the Constitution by the Modi government was the 101st amendment. “We introduced GST and worked to strengthen the country's economy.”

The home minister expressed faith in the resilience of the Indian democracy. "Many countries around us also became independent (along with India). But democracy did not succeed there. The people of this country have democratically crushed the arrogance of many dictators". 

Shah again referred to Gandhi saying a 54-year-old leader who calls himself 'yuva', keeps claiming that the BJP would change the Constitution. 

"I want to tell that the provision to amend the Constitution is within the Constitution,” adding that the Constitution was never considered unchangeable. 

“The country should change with time, laws should change with time and society should change with time. Change is the mantra of this life; it is the truth. This was accepted by everyone in our Constitution. That is why a provision for a constitutional amendment was made in Article 368.”