Slient Points of the Speech given by Hon’ble BJP National President Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda at Sanvidhan Gaurav Abhiyan in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
During the launch of the Samvidhan Gaurav Abhiyan, we should take pride in our history and stay cautious of those who have "Khane Ke Daant Aur, Dikhane Ke Aur." These are the individuals who hold the Constitution in their hands but never truly read it
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Today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks of "Fight against the Indian State." This reflects the thinking of the Congress. They talk about battling against the country and stand with those who plot against the nation
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Rahul Gandhi has neither knowledge of India's history nor an understanding of the country's culture. His speechwriters write anything and he ends up reading whatever is given to him
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In its pursuit of vote bank, appeasement, dynastic politics and power hunger, the Congress not only choked the Constitution and democracy but also repeatedly disrespected democratic and constitutional institutions and tarnished the nation's image
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Congress and Rahul Gandhi today pretend to be worried about the dignity of Parliament, but their party had incorporated Article 35-A with Article 370 without informing Parliament. It is the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji who abolished Article 370 and 35-A, ushering in a new era of development in Jammu-Kashmir
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To save its power, Congress imposed 'Emergency' on the country. It strangled democracy, the Constitution and the media. By repeatedly amending the Constitution, it weakened it. Despite court orders, Congress government did not abolish triple talaq due to its appeasement politics
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Indira Gandhi imposed President’s Rule in 50 states, disrupting the federal structure. Likewise, during the tenures of Manmohan Singh Ji and Rajiv Gandhi Ji, President's Rule was imposed several times
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Congress disrespected Baba Saheb DR. Bhim Rao Ambedkar at every step and did not award him the Bharat Ratna during their government. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji declared 14th April as National Integration Day to honour Baba Saheb
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Our government worked on the development of the five sacred places associated with Baba Saheb. In accordance with the spirit of the Constitution, we empowered SCs, STs, OBCs, women, and the poor
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Hon’ble Bharatiya Janata Party National President Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda addressed Sanvidhan Gaurav Abhiyan in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on Sunday. During his address, Shri Nadda highlighted the 75-year journey of the Constitution. Shri Nadda strongly criticized the interference with the fundamental spirit of the Constitution during Congress rule and the imposition of Emergency. He also emphasized the constitutionally aligned actions taken by the government of the Bharatiya Janata Party. During the event, Gujarat CM Shri Bhupendra Patel, BJP National Organiser Shri Satish Velankar, Gujarat Minister Shri Jagdeesh Vishwakarma, General Secretary Shri Rajnibhai Patel, Mayor Smt Pratibhaben Jain, Lok Sabha MP Shri Dineshbhai Makwana, and other leaders were present on the stage.
Shri Nadda stated that the sacred land of Gujarat has been a guiding force in India's cultural, political, religious, and spiritual movements, as well as in the awakening of the nation's self-identity. Be it Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Mahipal—the King of Saurashtra who built the Somnath Temple, Mahatma Gandhi who played a pivotal role in India's independence, the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, or the most popular leader in the world today, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Gujarat has consistently played a significant role in every sphere of leadership. On 26 November 1949, the Constituent Assembly approved the Constitution of India, which came into effect on 26 January 1950. However, when we talk about the Gaurav Yatra—whether considering any era or subject—it inevitably includes its share of ups and downs. As we reflect on this 75-year journey, we must remember the history of these years along with its highs and lows.
Hon’ble BJP National President stated that out of the 75 years since independence, the Congress ruled the country for 65 years and positioned itself as the custodian of the Constitution. When the Constitution was being approved in 1949, its architect, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, had remarked that no matter how good a Constitution may be, if the people implementing it are bad, the Constitution will fail. Conversely, he noted that even if the Constitution is flawed, it will succeed if implemented by good people. After India gained independence, the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, successfully integrated 562 princely states into the Indian Union within just two years. However, regarding Jammu and Kashmir, Jawaharlal Nehru insisted that the matter be handled by him. This led to circumstances in Jammu and Kashmir that resulted in the implementation of Article 370. While Sheikh Abdullah, the father of Farooq Abdullah, was drafting Article 370 in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Law Minister Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar strongly opposed it. Dr. Ambedkar remarked that these individuals want Bharat Mata to provide them with food, build roads for them, and yet be considered equal to the Government of India, which he deemed an act of treason. Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar firmly stated that implementing Article 370 would be a betrayal of the nation and declared that it would not be enacted as long as he was the Law Minister. Despite his opposition, Jawaharlal Nehru proceeded with the move and introduced Article 35-A alongside Article 370. This provision stipulated that while a citizen of Jammu and Kashmir would automatically be a citizen of India, a citizen of India would not have the same status in Jammu and Kashmir. The result of Article 35-A was a separate head and a separate symbol for Jammu and Kashmir.
Shri Nadda stated that Congress and Rahul Gandhi today pretend to be concerned about the dignity of Parliament. However, their party had introduced Article 35-A as part of Article 370 by getting the President's signature without informing Parliament. Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of Jan Sangh, had famously said that "Do Nishan, Do Pradhan aur Do Samvidhan" cannot work in one country. For his stance, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was arrested and died under suspicious circumstances in Srinagar jail. He sacrificed his life for the unity of the country. When his mother demanded an inquiry into his death, Jawaharlal Nehru refused to allow the investigation. What Jammu-Kashmir received from Article 370 was a situation where, until 2019, there were no reserved seats for Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the state, nor were there seats in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha for the Gujjar, Bakarwal, and tribal communities. The 126 laws passed by the Indian Parliament were not applicable on the soil of Jammu-Kashmir. Laws protecting women from crimes were not enforceable in Jammu-Kashmir and the POCSO Act did not apply there. Additionally, if a woman from Jammu-Kashmir married someone from another state, she was deprived of her property rights.
Hon’ble BJP National President stated that the children of the Valmiki community who migrated from Punjab to Jammu-Kashmir were restricted to working as sanitation workers. However, when the people of the country voted for Shri Narendra Modi Ji and made him the Prime Minister on 6 August 2019, Shri Modi Ji's willpower and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah's strategy led to the complete abrogation of Article 370. Today, the people of the Valmiki community are recognized as citizens of Jammu-Kashmir. Shri L.K. Advani ji served as the Deputy Prime Minister, IK Gujral became the Prime Minister and Dr. Manmohan Singh held the office for 10 years—all of them hailed from West Pakistan. However, those who migrated from West Pakistan and settled in Jammu-Kashmir were denied basic rights, including the ability to become a Pradhan or an MLA in the Jammu-Kashmir Vidhan Sabha. Such a blind law was Article 370. This highlights the difference between a good lot and a bad lot.
Shri Nadda highlighted that on 12th June, 1975 the Allahabad High Court ruled against Indira Gandhi and invalidated her election. The court's decision stated that she could not contest elections for six years, citing the misuse of the Model Code of Conduct. At that time, the country was not in danger, nor was anyone at risk; however, Indira Gandhi’s position was in jeopardy. To secure her position, internal disturbances were manufactured, leading to the imposition of the Emergency in India on June 25th, 1975. During this time, fundamental rights, including Article 19 and Article 21, were suspended. Senior leaders of the country, such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, Morarji Desai and others, were imprisoned. Over 135,000 people were arrested under MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) and DIR (Defence of India Rules).
Hon’ble BJP National President pointed out that it is a matter of great pride that the largest number of individuals connected to the BJP's ideology were those who were jailed, but they did so in their fight for freedom and against the Emergency, putting in all their effort. The editorial of Indian Express was censored, as was the editorial of The Statesman and censorship was imposed. Thousands of families were displaced, with the breadwinners sent to jail, some of them spending two years behind bars. In many families, both the husband and wife were imprisoned, leaving their children alone. Such cruelty was unleashed by Indira Gandhi, solely to save her position. The most crucial point is how bad people can manipulate even a good constitution. Indira Gandhi brought in a law under which, for the first time, the President of India, the Vice President of India, and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha were exempted from judicial review. This meant that no legal action could be taken against them. To save her position, these laws were enforced with retrospective effect.
Shri Nadda mentioned that Indira Gandhi introduced the 39th and 42nd Constitutional Amendment Acts. The 42nd Amendment concentrated power in the executive and diminished the judiciary's role. This meant that laws passed by Parliament would be exempt from judicial review, essentially creating a new constitution—a sort of mini constitution. Such governments, which claim that no law will apply to them, that any wrong actions they take will not be subject to the law and that the laws they pass cannot be challenged in any court, should not have existed. Indira had become arrogant and unyielding. They had stated that no constitutional matter could be brought before them and that judicial review would not be allowed. They introduced the word “secular” merely to gain votes, and also added “socialism.” On this issue, Dr. Ambedkar argued that the term “secular” was unnecessary in our country because we have always acknowledged all religions as equal. Hence, there was no need to specifically include it. The word “secular” should be adopted by those who presented their constitution as an Islamic state. However, India has always followed a secular path, driven by the principle of “Sarva Dharma Sarva Sambhav” (respect for all religions). That's why the word “secular” was not needed, as emphasized by Dr. Ambedkar during the debates in the Constituent Assembly. Dr. Ambedkar said about socialism that in India, the decision regarding the government should not be made by the government itself, but by the people. The people should choose the government they desire, and the term “socialism” could not be included in the constitution. However, Indira Gandhi, in an attempt to allure and mislead the public with slogans, added both the words “secular” and “socialism.”
Hon’ble BJP National President stated that all the events during that time were like a dark night, with the Emergency being declared overnight and a blatant violation of the constitution. However, after Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji assumed office, Article 370 and Article 35(A) were revoked. Furthermore, when Shri Morarji Desai became Prime Minister, the 38th Constitutional Amendment, which had placed the President, Vice President, and Speaker outside judicial review, was brought back under judicial review. The provisions of the 42nd Amendment Act, which had stated that no court could challenge the constitution, were reversed, restoring the constitution within the purview of the judiciary. During the Emergency, the term “internal disturbance” was explained as a situation where there was an organized effort against the nation, threatening its stability, which could justify the imposition of an emergency. Today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated, “It is a fight against the Indian state.” Rahul Gandhi lacks both historical knowledge and a proper understanding of the issue.
Shri Nadda pointed out that under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Article 370 was revoked, Article 35(A) was removed, GST was implemented, and the concept of “One Nation, One Tax” was established. We are now moving towards the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code, with states making efforts in their own ways to implement it. Under the leadership of the Modi government, significant steps were taken, including granting constitutional status to the OBC community and providing a 10% reservation for the economically weaker sections. In medical exams, 27% reservation was allotted to OBCs and 10% to the economically weaker sections. Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji also ensured reservation for the Valmiki community in Jammu-Kashmir. Previously, people in Jammu-Kashmir took an oath to the Jammu-Kashmir Constitution, but for the first time, they took an oath to the Constitution of India. Moreover, SC and ST members were able to reach the Legislative Assembly. The Women’s Reservation Bill, which had been pending for three decades, was finally passed under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, granting 33% reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assembly.
Hon’ble BJP National President pointed out that Shah Bano was a divorced woman, and the Supreme Court had ruled that she should be given maintenance and compensation. In the Shah Bano case, when the Supreme Court ordered maintenance to be provided to Shah Bano, Rajiv Gandhi ji altered the law under pressure from Muslim leaders and clerics, denying Shah Bano her rightful maintenance. Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji ended the triple talaq law and gave the right to live freely to crores of Muslim women, this is a good result of the Constitution.
Shri Nadda stated that the President's rule was imposed more than 100 times across states. Indira Gandhi imposed it 50 times, former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh imposed it 8 to 9 times, and Rajiv Gandhi also imposed it many times. However, since the government of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji came to power, President's rule has not been imposed in any state, except Jammu-Kashmir. In Jammu- Kashmir, President's rule was imposed with the promise of holding elections, which were subsequently carried out. Under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji's, President's rule has not been invoked in any other state to date. The opposition often speaks highly of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, but it was the government of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji that declared 14 April as Rashtriya Samrasta Divas. A memorial was built at his birthplace in Mau, Shiksha Bhoomi was established in London, Deeksha Bhoomi was created in Nagpur, Mahaparinirvan Bhoomi was constructed in Delhi, and Chaitanya Bhoomi was built in Mumbai. By building these memorials, Hon’ble Shri Narendra Modi Ji elevated Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's status in society. The Congress had even refused to award Baba Saheb the Bharat Ratna, but it was the BJP supported government that honored Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar with the Bharat Ratna. The Congress had tried every way to prevent Baba Saheb from being elected. He won from Kolkata in the Constituent Assembly because he was not allowed to win from Mumbai.
Hon’ble BJP National President Shri Nadda remarked that on 26th January 2025, India will celebrate its 76th Republic Day, but we must remember that in the 75 years of Gaurav Yatra, there have been those who tampered with the Constitution, those who attempted to destroy its fundamental provisions, and those who worked to protect it. We must also recognize which government worked to highlight and safeguard the vision of Baba Saheb. As we embark on the Samvidhan Gaurav Abhiyan, we should take pride in our history and remain vigilant against those who show off their knowledge but fail to truly understand it. These individuals carry the book of the Constitution yet have never read it, know nothing about it, and are unaware of what their forebears did, which they should be well-informed about.
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