During a Lok Sabha session commemorating 75 years of the Constitution, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp critique of the BJP-led government, contrasting the values of the Indian Constitution with those of the Manusmriti. Holding a copy of the Constitution in one hand and the Manusmriti in the other, Mr. Gandhi cited Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar, who, he claimed, dismissed the Constitution as un-Indian and advocated for the Manusmriti as the guiding text of a Hindu nation.
“Savarkar clearly stated that the Constitution does not represent India and that Manusmriti, which codifies ancient practices, should be the law of the land. This is the core of our ideological fight,” Mr. Gandhi said, questioning BJP leaders on whether they align with Savarkar’s views. He argued that BJP leaders praising the Constitution while revering Savarkar were insulting the latter's legacy.
The Congress leader’s remarks drew a strong response from the BJP, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accusing the Congress of selective appropriation of constitutional values. Mr. Rijiju criticized the Congress for sidelining Dr. BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, alleging that his contributions were belatedly recognized due to the Congress’s focus on appeasement politics under Jawaharlal Nehru.
Meanwhile, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, in her maiden Lok Sabha speech a day earlier, targeted the RSS, accusing the BJP of confusing "Bharat ka Samvidhan" with "Sangh ka Vidhan."
The debate highlighted the deep ideological divide between the Congress and the BJP, with the former accusing the ruling party of undermining constitutional principles and the latter charging the Congress with historical neglect of Ambedkar's legacy.
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