NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Friday commenced a two-day discussion on the Constitution, marking the 75th anniversary of its adoption. Defence minister Rajnath Singh initiated the debate, criticising Congress for allegedly undermining institutional autonomy and constitutional principles.
During the session, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra delivered her maiden speech in the Lower House of the Parliament, describing the Constitution as a ‘suraksha kavach’. She criticised the central government, alleging attempts to weaken this protective framework over the past decade.According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will respond to the constitutional debate in the Lok Sabha on Saturday. Union home minister Amit Shah is also expected to initiate a parallel discussion in the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha proceedings included addresses from Rajnath Singh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. Here are some top quotes from leaders’ speeches.

Tried to hijack work of Constitution-making, says Rajnath Singh

• “There has always been an attempt by a particular party to hijack the work of Constitution-making. Our Constitution is not the gift of a single party. It was made by the people of India, embodying the values and aspirations of this diverse nation,” Singh said, indirectly targeting Congress.
• “Congress destroyed the basic spirit of the Constitution and words like protecting the Constitution do not suit them.”
• “BJP bows before the Constitution and has never played with independence, autonomy of institutions.”
• “Whenever Congress had opportunity to choose between Constitution and power, it has always favoured power.”
• “Many postcolonial democracies and their Constitutions did not last long. But the Indian Constitution, despite all the challenges, continues to play an important role in maintaining the world’s largest democracy without losing its basic spirit.”
• “We all accept the role of the Supreme Court as the custodian and interpreter of the Constitution. Today there is talk of protecting the Constitution. This is the duty of all of us. But we also need to understand who has respected the Constitution and who has disrespected it.”

PM Modi hasn’t understood Constitution is not Sangh rule book, says Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

• “In the struggle of crores of Indians, in their strength to battle the toughest situations, and in their hope of justice from the country, the flame of our Constitution is burning. Our Constitution is ‘suraksha kavach’ (safety armour). Such a ‘suraksha kavach’ that keeps the citizens safe – it is a ‘kavach’ of justice, of unity, of Right to Express. It is sad that in 10 years, colleagues of the ruling side who make big claims have made all attempts to break down this ‘kavach’. The Constitution promises social, economic and political justice. These promises are a safety armour and work to break this has begun. Through lateral entry and privatisation, this government is trying to weaken reservation.”
• “It seems that Prime Minister Modi hasn’t understood that it is ‘Bharat ka Samvidhan’ not ‘Sangh ka Vidhan’.”
• “Had the Lok Sabha election results not come as they have, the government would have started work on changing the Constitution.”
• “Nehru’s name can be erased from books and speeches but not his role in Independence struggle, nation-building.”

Constitution is our armour, security, says Akhilesh Yadav

• “This Constitution is our armour, our security; it provides us strength from time to time.”
• “The Constitution is the true guardian of the rights of the oppressed, neglected, suppressed, and deprived.”
• “This Constitution is a great support. For people like us and the weak in the country, especially for the PDA, saving the Constitution is a matter of life and death.”

Prior to the debate, PM Modi conducted a strategy session with Union ministers Amir Shah, Rajnath Singh and J P Nadda, who is also BJP’s national president. Shah organised a separate meeting with senior BJP ministers, including Nadda, commerce minister Piyush Goyal, and parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju, at his parliament office.

The Congress party held its own strategic discussion at party headquarters, attended by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and senior members K C Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh, to plan their parliamentary approach. Kharge will lead the opposition’s discussion in the Rajya Sabha.

The Upper House will hold its constitutional debate on December 16 and 17, with PM Modi expected to respond on Tuesday. This constitutional discussion has been a primary opposition request for the winter session.