Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Two-day Constitution debate begins in Rajya Sabha.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: The fourth and final week of the Parliament Winter Session begins. The Rajya Sabha is having a two-day Constitution debate amid a no-confidence motion moved by opposition parties against Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The debate, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of India's Constitution, is led by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
A similar two-day Constitution debate happened in Lok Sabha on Friday and Saturday. In Lok Sabha, Priyanka Gandhi gave her debut speech, comparing the Constitution to a protective shield. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi cited Veer Savarkar's criticism of the Constitution. "The worst thing about the Constitution of India is that there is nothing Indian about it," he said, quoting Savarkar.
In return, Prime Minister Narendra Modi trained guns at the Nehru-Gandhi family of the Congress, saying they left no stone unturned to strike blows to the Constitution.
Parliament Winter Session UpdateLeader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge read out a poem 'Mat Katal Karo Awaazo Ka' (Don't kill the voices) by Pakistani Poet Ahmad Faraz.
In his address to the Rajya Sabha, Mr Kharge questioned BJP's intent and asked whether the party is in the favour of constitution or not? Mr Kharge accused that the BJP is not interested in solving basic issues.
Parliament Winter Session Update
Congress party is "anti-women" as they did not pass women reservation bill to save its then government, said Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha.
Parliament Winter Session Update: Nirmala Sitharaman Demands A Written Apology From Jairam RameshUnion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman demanded a written apology from the Congress MP Jairam Ramesh for accusing her of "lying" which she said, she "never" does. "Accusing me of lying runs in the Congress blood," she said.
In the Rajya Sabha, Ms Sitharaman said that Congress-ruled Maharashtra opposed provisions of GST. "They couldn't bring the GST amendment and when we bring it, this is how they would like to shout about it."
Parliament Winter Session Update: Nirmala Sitharaman Slams CongressAddressing the Constitutional debate in the Rajya Sabha, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slammed Congress for making various amendments to the Constitution. Here are the key things she said against Congress:
- Congress' process to alter preamble invalid.
- Amendments were not about strengthening democracy but protecting those in power. The process is used for strengthening the family.
- 21 MPs belonging to all opposition parties were jailed.
Parliament Winter Session Update: Nirmala Sitharaman On Constitutional Amendments In Rajya Sabha, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that Indian Constitution has stood the test of time.
"...Post Second World War, over 50 countries had become independent and had their Constitution written. But many have changed their Constitutions, not just amended them but literally changed the entire feature of their Constitution. But our Constitution has stood the test of time, of course, yielded itself to very many amendments..."
Parliament Winter Session Update
Within one year of the adoption of the Constitution, the first constitutional was brought in by the Congress to "curb the freedom of speech", said Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Parliament Winter Session UpdateIn the last 7 decades, the Constitution has faced many amendments. Union Finance Minister laid down four elements to test any amendment. This includes:
- Has the social intent behind any amendment been genuine and therefore, the outcome has been genuine
- If the economic intent and outcome of any amendment has helped the society at large
- Process adopted for the amendment
- Constitutional spirit behind an amendment
Parliament Winter Session Update: Nirmala Sitharaman On 75 Years Of Constitution Of India
Citing BR Ambedkar, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "However good a Constitution may be, it is sure to turn out bad because those who are called to work it happen to be a bad lot. However bad a Constitution may be, it may turn out to be good if those who are called to work it happen to be a good lot."
Parliament Winter Session Update: 6 Newly Elected Rajya Sabha MPs Take OathSix newly elected Members of Parliament took oath in the Rajya Sabha. Here is the full list:
- Sana Sathish Babu, TDP, Andhra Pradesh
- Masthan Rao Yadav Beedha, TDP, Andhra Pradesh
- Ryaga Krishnaiah, BJP, Andhra Pradesh
- Rekha Sharma, BJP, Haryana
- Sujeet Kumar, BJP, Odisha
- Ritabrata Banerjee, AITC, West Bengal
Parliament Winter Session UpdateCongress MP Vijay Vasanth has moved an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha, to discuss the detention of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by Sri Lankan authorities.
Parliament Winter Session Update: "Constitution Is In Danger," Says Sanjay RautShiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said the current government is working against the Constitution. "The role being played by the judiciary, Parliament and the Election Commission of India, Raj Bhavan, which should be the guardians of the Constitution, and the ruling government is not in the interest of the nation," he said.
Mr Raut accused the ruling government of controlling judiciary and the Election Commission. "The Constitution is in danger," he said.
Parliament Winter Session Update"The way constitutional posts are being misused, the way constitutional institutions are being misused, the way the Dalits, backwards are being oppressed, they are not getting their rights given by the Constitution," said Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on the scheduled Constitution debate in Rajya Sabha. "All these issues will be there, every issue will be discussed..." he added.
Parliament Winter Session Update: AAP's Sanjay Singh Demands Discussion On Law And Order Situation In Delhi
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh has given a Suspension of Business Notice in Rajya Sabha under Rule 267, demanding discussion on law and order situation in Delhi
Recap: Constitution Debate In Lok SabhaA two-day Constitution debate was held in Lok Sabha on Friday and Saturday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh initiated the debate focusing on the historical significance of the Constitution and its role in shaping the nation's governance and global standing.
On
Day 1 of the debate, Priyanka Gandhi made her maiden speech in the lower House and touched upon a range of issues including the need for caste census, use of federal agencies to "censor people", and the role of Constitution in protecting people.
On
Day 2 of the debate, Rahul Gandhi cited Veer Savarkar's criticism of the Constitution who has clearly stated in his writings that there is nothing Indian about the Constitution. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke for over 110 minutes and launched a huge attack on the Congress party. He also laid
11 resolutions.
Parliament Winter Session Update: Union Minister JP Nadda, Amit Shah To Speak In Rajya SabhaBJP President and Union Minister JP Nadda will initiate the two-day debate on the Constitution in the Upper House at 11 am.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to reply to the discussion later in the day.