New Delhi, Dec 17: JP Nadda, the National President of the BJP and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, opened a discussion in the Upper House of Parliament emphasizing the importance of the Indian Constitution. He condemned the Emergency period and challenged the Congress party to join in recognizing an ‘Anti-Democracy Day’ if they sincerely regret that time.
“India is the largest democracy in the world, and as PM Modi has articulated, it is not just a democracy but the mother of democracies,” Nadda stated.
In his remarks about the Constituent Assembly debates, Nadda pointed out the profound influence of Indian culture and history.
“The debates of the Constituent Assembly reveal that Indian culture, history, and ethos were deeply interwoven into our democratic foundation, which encompasses concepts of freedom, acceptance, equality, and inclusivity, allowing citizens to live with dignity and quality. These ideals were firmly held by the members of the Constituent Assembly,” he explained.
Citing ancient texts like the Rig Veda and Atharvaveda, he noted that principles such as meetings, discussions, and deliberations were integral to the Constitution’s drafting, reflecting India’s rich heritage.
Nadda also criticized the Congress party for its delayed acknowledgment of prominent leaders such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, asserting it took decades for the party to recognize the Iron Man of India.
He remarked, “Sardar Patel played a crucial role in integrating 562 princely states, except for Jammu & Kashmir, which was assigned to then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. This led to the controversial introduction of an exceptional provision, with Sheikh Abdullah being involved. Nehru suggested that Abdullah consult B.R. Ambedkar, but Ambedkar declined, deeming it a ‘treacherous proposal’ regarding Article 370.”
Nadda recalled Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s staunch opposition to Article 370, famously saying, “One country cannot have two constitutions.” He also highlighted Mookerjee’s death while imprisoned and his mother’s appeals to PM Nehru for justice, which went unanswered.
He further criticized the enactment of Article 35A through a Presidential Order, bypassing parliamentary discussion, detailing how it restricted citizenship in J&K to those residing before 1944, marginalizing refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Furthermore, women faced discrimination, as a Kashmiri girl marrying a non-Kashmiri would lose her property rights.
Nadda outlined essential legislation rendered ineffective in J&K under Article 370, including laws safeguarding against human rights abuses, the POSCO Act, and women’s protection regulations.
He pointed out that Congress-backed initiatives like the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, aimed at establishing grassroots democracy, were not implemented in J&K, along with the denial of reservations for Scheduled Tribes, including the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities.
Addressing the situation of workers brought to J&K for cleaning roles, he stated, “They were promised citizenship yet remained in low-wage positions, with no rights for their children to access better job opportunities or reservations.”
Nadda commended the Modi administration for nullifying Article 370 on August 5, 2019, declaring J&K an “indivisible part of India.”
“I recall the protests against a law that caused significant harm. I am grateful to PM Modi since, under his leadership and strategy, we have rectified this situation,” he maintained.
In response to Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks regarding the Emergency, Nadda condemned the Congress party’s decision to impose it in 1975.
He stated, “The Emergency was not a response to a national crisis but a threat to the party’s power. Congress must reckon with this dark chapter of history. On June 25, 2025, we will observe 50 years since that ‘black period’ for democracy. I invite the Congress to join us in commemorating ‘Anti-Democracy Day’ and speak out against those events. If you have any respect or remorse, come and be a part of this.” (Agencies)
