PM Modi reflects on 75 years of Constitution, celebrates its role in nation’s progress during Lok Sabha debate

PTC Web Desk: On the 75th anniversary of the adoption of India’s Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Arjun Ram Meghwal, addressed the ongoing debate in the Lok Sabha, highlighting the significance of this milestone for the nation.

During his address, PM Modi expressed pride and gratitude for the Constitution, describing it as the foundation of India’s democratic journey and a testament to the vision of its framers. He thanked Parliament members and speakers for their contributions to the ongoing debate about the Constitution’s legacy.

The Prime Minister emphasised that India’s Constitution has not only guided the nation through its democratic journey but also disproved the skeptics who doubted India’s ability to thrive as a democracy. PM Modi also praised the efforts of millions of Indians who have upheld the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution.

Reflecting on the nation’s deep-rooted democratic traditions, PM Modi quoted Dr BR Ambedkar, asserting that India was never unfamiliar with the concept of democracy. He also referred to Dr Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President, who had stressed that the constitutional framework was not foreign to the country.

The Prime Minister underscored the Constitution’s inclusive nature, particularly highlighting the role of women in shaping the nation’s democratic structure. He noted that 15 women were active members of the Constituent Assembly, contributing significantly to drafting the Constitution. PM Modi hailed the inclusion of women in the democratic process, emphasising that India granted voting rights to women right from the beginning of its democratic journey.

In his speech, PM Modi affirmed India’s commitment to gender equality and mentioned that the country is progressing with a model of “women-led development.” He also highlighted the “happy coincidence” of having Droupadi Murmu as the President of India, marking a historic moment in the nation’s political landscape.

Looking toward India’s future, PM Modi expressed confidence that the country will achieve developed nation status by the time it marks 100 years of independence. He stated that Indians are deeply motivated to contribute toward realising this vision.

Reflecting on the diversity of the country’s founding leaders, the Prime Minister pointed out that the members of the Constituent Assembly hailed from different regions of India, symbolising the nation’s unity in diversity. Quoting Dr BR Ambedkar, he emphasised the importance of collective decision-making in shaping the nation’s future.

Addressing the issue of national unity, PM Modi defended his government’s decision to revoke Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that Article 370 was a barrier to the country’s unity and that its abrogation was a necessary step toward strengthening national integration.

PM Modi also credited the Goods and Services Tax (GST) with unifying the country’s economy under the “One Nation, One Tax” framework, which has simplified the tax system and fostered economic integration.

Additionally, the Prime Minister outlined various government initiatives, including the health card programme, aimed at improving the well-being of citizens across the country.

PM Modi criticised the Congress party’s imposition of the Emergency in 1975, describing it as a dark chapter in India’s democratic history when the country was turned into a “jailhouse.”