In a fiery speech at the Rajya Sabha during the discussion on the 75th year of the Indian Constitution, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, challenging its commitment to secular principles and accusing it of practicing appeasement politics.
UCC and Secular Principles: A Direct Challenge to Congress’s Legacy
Shah directly questioned the Congress party’s stance on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), criticizing the party for not implementing a common law across religions. He highlighted that the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, introduced Muslim Personal Law instead of a unified civil code, which Shah argued was the beginning of “appeasement politics.”
“In a secular nation, should there be a common law for every religion or not?” Shah asked, pointing out that the BJP-ruled Uttarakhand has already implemented the UCC.
EVMs and Election Controversies: Shah Calls Out Opposition’s Selective Narrative
The Home Minister also addressed allegations about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), challenging the opposition’s inconsistent stance. He noted the irony of the Congress party questioning EVM reliability in Maharashtra while accepting the results in Jharkhand.
Shah emphasized that the Election Commission had openly invited challenges to EVM security, and the Supreme Court had dismissed EVM-related petitions 24 times.
Constitutional Amendments Under Scrutiny: A Historical Perspective
Shah critiqued several constitutional amendments made during Congress rule, particularly those implemented during Indira Gandhi’s tenure. He highlighted amendments like the 39th and 42nd Constitutional Amendment Acts, which he claimed were designed to consolidate power and curtail individual rights.
The Minister specifically pointed out how these amendments were used to extend parliamentary terms and bypass legal scrutiny, describing August 10, 1975, as a “black day” in India’s democratic history
Amit Shah’s speech was a comprehensive critique of the Congress party’s historical approach to constitutional governance, challenging its secular credentials and political methods. By invoking historical figures and constitutional debates, Shah sought to position the BJP as a more principled guardian of India’s constitutional values.
