Sitharaman and Kharge Clash Over Constitutional Amendments in Rajya Sabha Debate

New Delhi, December 16, 2024 – In a heated exchange on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution of India, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge sparred over the legacy of past Congress governments and their alleged constitutional violations. The discussion, which took place in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, saw Sitharaman accusing former Congress-led governments of undermining constitutional principles, while Kharge countered by alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was spreading lies to tarnish the reputation of India's first Prime Ministers.

Sitharaman Criticizes Congress Regimes

Initiating the debate on the "Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India," Sitharaman highlighted several instances in which Congress regimes allegedly flouted constitutional norms. She pointed to the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, accusing them of imitating the socialist model of the Soviet Union, which, she claimed, led to significant economic damage by the time economic reforms were initiated in the 1990s. Sitharaman further criticized the amendments made to the Constitution during Congress rule, particularly the changes to the Preamble in 1976 to include the terms ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular.’

“The amendments were not about strengthening democracy,” Sitharaman argued. “Instead, they were aimed at protecting a family dynasty and consolidating power,” she asserted, accusing Congress of showing "disrespect" for constitutional processes.

Allegations Against the Rajiv Gandhi Government

Sitharaman also took aim at the Rajiv Gandhi government, particularly over its handling of the Shah Bano case and the delay in passing the Women’s Reservation Bill. She described these actions as “anti-women” and alleged that they were taken to preserve political power. “Rajiv Gandhi had a commanding majority in Parliament, yet he failed to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill. This was a clear example of the Congress leadership being anti-women,” she said.

She also cited the suppression of free speech during Congress regimes, noting the arrests of cultural figures like Majrooh Sultanpuri and actor Balraj Sahni in 1949, as well as the bans on Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses and the film Kissa Kursi Ka.

Kharge Responds, Accuses BJP of Distorting History

In his rebuttal, Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of spreading falsehoods about former Congress leaders, especially Nehru. He specifically addressed the BJP’s claims that Nehru had opposed reservation policies, presenting what he claimed was a distorted interpretation of history. Kharge referred to a letter Nehru had written to the Chief Ministers, which he said was misrepresented by the BJP. The letter was, according to Kharge, related to a constitutional amendment to address a Supreme Court ruling and prevent communal propaganda—not to oppose reservation.

Kharge demanded an apology from Prime Minister Modi, accusing him of twisting facts to defame Nehru. “If you spread lies and try to malign our leaders, then you should apologize publicly,” he stated.

He further criticized Modi for allegedly living in the past and not focusing on the present, questioning how the government had strengthened the Constitution and democracy in its 11 years in power. “It seems that ‘the present’ is not in his dictionary,” Kharge quipped, warning that the country was heading towards dictatorship under the current leadership. He also raised concerns about the RSS’s commitment to the Constitution, pointing to historical opposition from the organization to the Constitution’s principles.

DMK and BJD Join the Debate

In addition to Sitharaman and Kharge, other political leaders also weighed in on the issue. DMK floor leader Tiruchi Siva accused the Union government of undermining India’s federal structure, citing disparities in the devolution of funds to states. He particularly criticized the allocation of funds to Tamil Nadu, asserting that the state was being victimized despite its strong economic performance.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) also took a firm stance against the ruling party, with MP Debashish Samantaray drawing attention to the ongoing “pseudo-Emergency” in the country. He alleged that the current political climate had led to the suppression of dissent and arbitrary arrests.

The debate in the Rajya Sabha on December 16 highlighted the deep divisions between the ruling BJP and the Opposition. Sitharaman’s critique of Congress’s past, particularly regarding constitutional amendments and the handling of key issues, was met with a strong rebuttal from Kharge, who accused the BJP of distorting historical facts for political gain. As the session continues, the debate over the legacy of India’s Constitution and the future direction of the country’s democratic institutions remains a highly contentious issue.