Constitution holiest text in the country, says President Murmu

She recalled a comment made by Dr Rajendra Prasad, the president of the Constituent Assembly, who said that how the Constitution will work in the future would depend on those who implement it.

Speaking at the function, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said the Chairman of the Constitution drafting committee, Dr B R Ambedkar, had cautioned in his speech that political parties should keep the country over creed to preserve India’s Independence.

“I appeal to you to heed the counsel of the father of our Constitution,” Dhankhar said.

The leaders present on the stage, alongside the President and the Vice President, were Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Leader of House in Rajya Sabha J P Nadda, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Kiren Rijiju and Leaders of Opposition in the two Houses Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.

Dhankhar said disturbance as a strategy threatens democratic institutions. “It is time to restore the sanctity of our democratic temples through constructive dialogue, debate and meaningful discussion to serve our people effectively,” he said.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, LS Speaker Om Birla and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju at Samvidhan Sadan, Tuesday. (PTI)

Recalling Emergency, he said June 25 is “now set to be observed every year, reminding us of the darkest period when fundamental rights of citizens were suspended, people were detained without any reason, and civil rights were violated”.

Speaker Om Birla said the making of the Constitution over three years (1946 to 1949) — with constructive debates among the members of the Constituent Assembly despite ideological differences — was a lesson in how a culture of democratic debates should be fashioned.

He said, “Our Constitution inspires us to follow the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam… I request all MPs to celebrate the coming into force of the Constitution in their respective areas.”

President Murmu in her address acknowledged the role of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. B R Ambedkar, and also various officials involved in the making of the Constitution.

She also took the opportunity to praise many policy decisions taken in recent years. She commended the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women Reservation Bill, 2023) for paving the path for women’s reservation in Parliament and state legislatures, and also praised the new penal laws as a sign that members of Parliament have adopted modern thinking.

“In the last few years, the government has taken many steps to improve the lives of the poor. Pucca houses and food security have been provided and world-class infrastructure is growing. I praise the government for this,” she said.

Murmu asserted that apart from becoming a leading economy, India had also become Vishwa-bandhu (friend of the world), promoting global peace and security.

As part of the function, a short film dedicated to the glory of the Constitution, its making and journey, was screened in the Central Hall of Parliament. A commemorative coin and a stamp dedicated to 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution were released.

Two books, titled Making of the Constitution of India: A Glimpse, and Making of the Constitution of India and its Glorious Journey, were also released. Copies of the Constitution in Sanskrit and Maithili were also released on the occasion.

The 49-minute function ended with all members reading aloud from the Preamble and joining the National Anthem.