On Friday, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the newly elected Member of Parliament, made her debut speech in the Lok Sabha, in which she sharply criticized the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government for its alleged efforts to weaken the Constitution’s protective framework.
In her address, Priyanka Gandhi accused the Modi government of prioritizing the interests of industrialist Gautam Adani over the welfare of the Indian populace. She described the Constitution as the “suraksha kavach” (safety shield) that guarantees fundamental rights, justice, unity, and freedom of expression for every citizen. Expressing dismay, she said, “It is deeply concerning that, over the past decade, the government has continuously sought to dismantle this vital ‘kavach’.” Gandhi further claimed that the government was eroding essential provisions like reservations through lateral entry schemes and privatization.
Her speech took place during a pivotal debate in the Lok Sabha, marking the 75th anniversary of the Constitution’s adoption on December 13. Priyanka Gandhi took the opportunity to highlight what she perceived as the government’s disregard for the welfare of ordinary citizens, accusing them of facilitating the transfer of national wealth, airports, and land to a single individual, while millions of Indians continue to suffer. “The outright misuse of public resources for personal gain is unacceptable,” she asserted.
Additionally, Priyanka Gandhi condemned the ruling establishment for allegedly using investigative agencies as tools to suppress dissent. “Opposition leaders are being targeted with fabricated cases to silence their voices. This manipulation of power is an assault on the very core of our democracy,” she stated.
The Congress leader also took aim at the government’s ongoing attempts to undermine the legacy of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Gandhi criticized the efforts to erase Nehru’s contributions from public memory, claiming, “No matter how much they try, Nehru’s pivotal role in our Independence struggle and nation-building cannot be erased.”
In a thought-provoking segment of her speech, Priyanka Gandhi suggested that if the recent Lok Sabha elections had gone differently, the ruling party might have attempted to alter the Constitution itself. “Had the election results been in their favor, they may have tried to change the Constitution. But the people of this country have made it clear that they will protect it,” she said.
The debate, which was ignited by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s remarks, quickly grew heated. Singh accused the Congress party of attempting to monopolize the narrative surrounding the Constitution’s creation, asserting, “Our Constitution is not the gift of a single party.” He also mocked Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that certain leaders believed the Constitution was “in their pockets,” and ridiculed the Bharat Jodo Yatra, saying, “The muhabbat ki dukaan you find laughable, crores of Indians walked for it.”
Priyanka Gandhi responded to Singh’s remarks by defending the spirit of unity embodied in the Bharat Jodo Yatra. She also addressed ongoing crises, such as the violence in Sambhal and the Manipur conflict, criticizing Prime Minister Modi for failing to visit these regions despite the urgent need for leadership and support.
The session was marked by tense exchanges between government and opposition members, with the INDIA alliance moving to remove Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, further escalating the political confrontations during the ongoing Winter Session.
With this landmark speech, Priyanka Gandhi set the stage for a robust debate on the future of India’s Constitution and its protection under the current administration. Her remarks have amplified the ongoing political debate on the role of the Constitution in shaping the nation’s future.