New Delhi [India], December 17 (HBTV): Rajya Sabha saw a lively debate on Monday on 75 years of the Constitution, with opposition members accusing the BJP-led government of eroding constitutional values, while BJP leaders attacked Congress over decisions made by its government, starting with the tenure of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

There was also sparring in Lok Sabha during the debate on the supplementary demands for grants for 2024-25.

Initiating the debate in Rajya Sabha on 75 years of the Constitution, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a scathing attack on former Congress leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, asserting that many constitutional amendments brought by them were not aimed at strengthening democracy but at consolidating their power.

Sitharaman noted that after World War II, over 50 countries gained independence and adopted their own constitutions. However, she pointed out, many of these countries had to alter their constitutions, whereas India's Constitution has stood the test of time.

"India's experience has shown that a constitution remains robust, yielding to several amendments that were needed at the time. I would like to talk about the first Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951," she said. "During 1951, when the first constitutional amendment was passed, it was under an interim government and not an elected one. The amendment added three more grounds to Article 19 (2), curbing freedom of speech."

Sitharaman highlighted two key Supreme Court judgments in 1950 that paved the way for press freedom under Article 19 (1)(A), which were challenged by the interim government through the 1951 amendment. She further criticized Congress for curbing freedom of speech, pointing to the imprisonment of poets Majnu Sultanpuri and Balraj Sahani for opposing Nehru in 1949.

She also highlighted constitutional amendments aimed at protecting power during Indira Gandhi's era, particularly the 39th Amendment of 1975, which removed the judiciary's ability to challenge elections of high-ranking officials like the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister.

Sitharaman continued by criticizing Congress for imposing the Emergency in 1975, when the term of the Lok Sabha was extended without justification, and opposition leaders were jailed. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act passed during this time was also deemed unconstitutional.

In his response, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of distorting historical facts about Nehru and demanded an apology. "PM Modi distorted facts about Nehru's letters to CMs for which he should apologize to the people of the country," Kharge stated.

Kharge also defended the legacy of Jawaharlal Nehru, citing the importance of the Constitution and the Preamble, while pointing out the RSS's historical opposition to the Constitution.

(ANI)