PM Modi finished his speech.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the proceedings of the lower house till Monday.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Parliament adjourned till Monday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the constitution makers didn’t believe that democracy was born in India in 1950. Instead, they believed in the thousands of years of heritage of the country. (Photo; PTI)Parliament Winter Session Highlights: Taking part in the Constitution debate in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Constitutional amendments brought by his government weren’t done to tighten grip on power, in contrast with the Congress. He said Nehru-Gandhi family had “made a habit” of amending India’s Constitution as it suited their interests, starting with the country’s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru. This comment, along with Modi’s remarks on the Emergency imposed by former PM Indira Gandhi, caused uproar in the Opposition benches. Modi also said that the Constitution had brought India “so far”, proving naysayers wrong. He added that the Constitution was instrumental in uplifting women, and every initiative of his government has women at the centre.
Earlier, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi has begun his speech on Constitution and he quoted Savarkar as saying that Manusmriti is the law in India. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, meanwhile, initiated the debate on Constitution on its second day and said India not only provides legal protection to minorities but also has provision for affirmative action. In an apparent jibe at the Opposition, Rijiju said, “While India has given equal voting rights to all, some claim that minorities have no rights in the country.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be speaking on behalf of the Centre today. On Friday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had initiated the special debate on Constitution, slamming the Congress party for trying to ‘hijack and appropriate’ the document.
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What happened yesterday? Friday was an action-packed day in Lok Sabha with intense debate on the Constitution. TMC MP Mahua Moitra targeted the former CJI saying he made it a point to state that the Supreme Court is not meant to act like a political opposition and remarked that former SC judge B H Loya died “long before his time”. Moitra’s remarks triggered an uproar in the Lower House with BJP member Nishikant Dubey raising objection.
Live Updates
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Modi talks of new pledges
PM Modi says India can't be stopped from becoming a developed nation if every Indian fulfills the Basic Duties.
Citizen or government, everyone should fulfill their basic duties.
PM Modi talks of some new pledges
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: All political parties should work to bring in fresh blood with no political background, says PM Modi
Speaking in Parliament, PM Modi says youngsters with no family ties to politics need to be brought in.
All political parties should work to bring in fresh blood with no political background, says PM Modi.
Says that's why he mentioned this in his Red Fort address.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: PM says aspirational districts now nearing the top cities of the state
PM Modi says many districts were labelled as 'backward' so good officers wouldn't want to serve in those districts.
PM Modi says his government came up with the idea of aspirational districts.
Aspirational districts are now nearing the top cities of the state.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: 80% of Indians were deprived of clean water, says PM Modi
Speaking in Parliament, PM Modi says 80 per cent of Indians were deprived of clean water.
Questions if the Constitution prevented them from taking any action.
Says his government took action to provide clean water.
Says many people hadn't even visited the doorsteps of banks.
Blames Congress for this.
Says 50 crore poor now have bank accounts.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Our Constitutional amendments for unity, says PM Modi
PM Modi says the constitutional amendments brought by his party to give more power to women.
When the country was moving ahead to support giving reservation to women, an ally of the opposition entered the well and tore up papers, stalling the process for 40 years.
Babasaheb's Constitution didn't reach J&K due to the wall of Article 370. We wanted it to reach every corner of the country.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Congress power-hungry,says PM Modi
Speaking in Parliament, PM Modi says Congress power-hungry.
After coming to power in 2014, we also made Constitutional amendments.
Our Constitutional amendments with full faith and respect for Constitution.
The OBC community was demanding Constitutional recognition to the OBC Commission. We are proud of it, says PM Modi.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: One family encroached on Congress, says PM Modi
PM Modi in Parliament says one family has encroached upon Congress.
Destroying the spirit of the Constitution flows in the veins of Congress.
We ran a government for 13 days in the past. If we didn't respect the spirit of the Constitution, we could tried to join hands with others, but we didn't.
In 1998, there was an NDA government.
There was a vote, and because the Vajpayee government respected the Constitution they didn't do anything unconstitutional and chose to resign instead.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Congress using Constitution as tool to frighten people, says PM Modi
Congress using Constitution as tool to frighten people, says PM Modi.
Says the party didn't even accept the constitution of its own party.
12 State Congress Committees had agreed to support Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
According to the party Constitution, Patel should have becomed the PM.
Nehru didn't have support of any Congress Committee.
PM questions how those who don't follow the constitution of their own party, how will they follow the nation's constitution?
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Modi says Ambedkar batted strongly for ending religion-based personal laws
Modi says want to talk about Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as this is within ambit of Constituent Assembly.
Says the Assembly decided after long discussions that the government that comes power should implement UCC.
Ambedkar batted strongly for ending religion-based personal laws.
The Supreme Court, too, has called for and directed government to bring in UCC.
That's why we are working hard to implement a Secular Civil Code.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Congress gave religion-based reservation to appease its vote bank, says PM
It was decided that reservation won't be given on basis of religion, but Congress gave religion-based reservation to appease its vote bank, says PM
He adds that their plans have been jolted by court judgements.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Ambedkar had foresight, worried that no part of India should remain weak, says PM Modi
BR Ambedkar had foresight and worried that no part of India should remain weak, says PM Modi.
Since Jawaharlal Nehru, reservation has been misused.
Nehru gave speeches, wrote letters, against reservation, says PM Modi.
Ambedkar stood for equity.
The sin of Congress is OBCs not getting reservation till the party lost power, else many people from the community would have been serving in top position currently, PM says.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: The situation in J&K could have been avoided if Article 35 didn't exist, says PM Modi
PM Modi says the situation in J&K could have been avoided if Article 35 didn't exist, says PM Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on the 'glorious journey of 75 years of the India Constitution', in the ongoing Winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (PTI Photo)
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed the spirit of Constitution, sided with extremists, says PM Modi
PM Modi talks about the Shah Bano case and says when Rajiv Gandhi became PM, he sacrificed the spirit of Constitution, sided with extremists.
PM quotes a book saying Manmohan Singh said that he had to accept that the party chief is the centre of power.
Modi says this was the first time the Constitution was hurt with a extra-constitutional National Advisory Council being setup over and above the Constitutionally elected PM.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Imposed Emergency to save their own chair, says PM Modi in Parliament
The Nehru-Gandhi family imposed Emergency to save their own chair, says PM Modi in Parliament.
They also brought in the 39th amendment, no one could challenge the election of President, V-P, and PM with retrospective effect, says Modi.
Thousands were jailed, the courts were hit, the idea of 'committed judiciary' was given a boost, says PM.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Nehru wrote a letter to CMs that if Constitution a barrier, then Constitution needs to be amended
Prime Minister Narendra Nehru wrote a letter to CMs that if Constitution is a barrier, then Constitution needs to be amended.
There is an uproar in Parliament as he says this.
Congress got used to amending Constitution, hurting the spirit of Constitution, says PM Modi.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: The family has challenged the Constitution, says PM Modi
Referring to the Congress, PM Narendra Modi says the family has challenged the Constitution at every stage.
They attacked the Right to Free Speech.
They even made attempts to curb Right to Free Speech in Constituent Assembly but their attempts were thwarted.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: When India celebrated 25 years of Constitution, Emergency was imposed: PM in Parliament
When India celebrated 25 years of Constitution, Emergency was imposed and constitutional rights were curtailed, says PM Modi in Parliament.
Says the Congress will be remembered for its attempt to demean the Constitution and it won't be able to wash off the stain of imposing Emergency.
On the 50th anniversary, then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave a message of unity, and cooperation.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: GST played big role in uniting India, says PM Modi in Parliament
PM Modi in Parliament says GST played big role in uniting India.
Acknowledges the role of the past government and says his government got an opportunity to further the process.
Talks about One Nation, One Tax and government health card.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Article 370 was a roadblock to India's unity, says PM Modi
Article 370 was a roadblock to India's unity and hence we removed it.
Unity in the nation is our priority, he says.
PM Modi says unity in diversity is India's speciality, and that we celebrate diversity.
But some people seek to poison the diversity.
Article 370 was a roadblock to India's unity.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: India will be a developed nation when India celebrates a century of Independence, say PM in Parliament
PM in Parliament says India will be a developed nation when India celebrates a century of Independence, and that Indians are motivated to contribute to make this a reality.
The members of the Constituent Assembly belonged to different geographical locations, PM said.
Modi quoted BR Ambedkar saying, how should the people be united to take a decision.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Matter of pride that India gave women voting rights from start, says PM
Matter of pride that India gave women voting rights from start, says PM.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India follows women-led development
It is a happy coincidence that a women is India's President.
The representation of women is rising, he says in Parliament.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Rajendra Prasad said constitutional framework not new to India
Rajendra Prasad, independent India's first president, said constitutional framework was not new to India.
Babasaheb Ambedkar said it's not as if India unaware of democracy, says Modi.
The PM says there were 15 active women members in the Constituent Assembly.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Constitution has proved naysayers wrong, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India's constitution has brought India so far proving the naysayers wrong.
He thanked crores of Indians. He says the constitution makers didn't believe that democracy was born in India in 1950.
They believed in the thousands of years of heritage of the country
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: 75 years of Constitution matter of pride, says Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said 75 years of Indian Constitution was a matter of pride and celebration.
He said it showed the foresight of the constitution makers.
Modi thanks other speakers that participated in the Constitution debate in Parliament.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Shrikant Shinde refers to Indira Gandhi's letter to Savarkar, sparks heated exchanges
The Lok Sabha turned into a battleground on Friday when Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde invoked a letter written by former prime minister Indira Gandhi praising V D Savarkar, sparking a fiery debate involving the treasury bench and Congress members.
Referring to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's critical comments earlier on Savarkar, Shinde questioned the Congress' repeated criticism of the freedom fighter.
Shinde read out from Indira Gandhi's letter, stating: "Veer Savarkar's daring defiance of the British Government has its own importance in the annals of our freedom movement. I wish success to the plans to celebrate the birth centenary of this remarkable son of India."
Shinde then posed a pointed question to Rahul Gandhi: "Was your grandmother, Indira Gandhi, also against the Constitution in praising Savarkar? We take pride in Savarkar ji and his contribution to the nation."
The remarks led to an uproar as Rahul Gandhi stood up, seeking to respond.
However, Shinde refused to yield, prompting Congress MPs to storm the Well of the House, demanding that Rahul Gandhi be allowed to speak.
Despite the chaos, Krishna Prasad Tenneti, who was in the Chair, ruled that Gandhi would be allowed to respond only after Shinde concluded his speech.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Attackers of Constitution posing as champions of Constitution: BJP's Tejasvi Surya
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya slammed the Congress in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, saying the "attackers" of the Constitution are posing as "champions" of the Constitution in a "hypocritical drama" that is going on for decades in the country.
Participating in a two-day debate in the Lower House on the "Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India", the Bangalore South MP alleged that parties like the Congress consider India not as a civilisational state or a nation but "a mere hotchpotch union of states".
"For a very long time, a big hypocritical drama has been conducted in this country, where those who are the attackers of the Constitution have posed themselves as champions of the Constitution. This hypocrisy must be exposed. For a very long time, this hypocrisy has continued.
"The BJP is the protector of the Constitution and the protector of territorial integrity. Other political parties like the Congress consider India not as a civilisational state, not as a nation, but a mere hotchpotch union of states. This is an attack on the Constitution. It is this difference in the philosophy of approaching the nation and the Constitution that resulted in the Congress and its successive dynast prime ministers attacking not just the Constitution but the very soul of this country," he said.
Surya alleged that the insertion of the words "socialist" and "secular" in the Constitution was an attempt at making it rigid.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Imperative need to hold simultaneous polls as elections have become expensive: Bill on One Nation, One Election
There is an imperative need for holding simultaneous elections for various reasons as polls have become expensive and time-consuming, according to the proposed bill being brought to implement the ambitious 'one nation, one election' plan.
According to the Constitution Amendment Bill listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Monday, the imposition of a Model Code of Conduct in several parts of the country that are poll-bound puts on hold the entire development programmes and causes disruption of normal public life.
Frequent poll code imposition also impacts the functioning of services and curtails the involvement of manpower from their core activities for deployment for prolonged periods for election duties, the 'Constitution (129th) Amendment Bill, 2024' underlined.
The bill seeks to insert a new article in the Constitution and amend three articles to put in place the mechanism to hold simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Congress, Nehru strengthened democracy to extent that 'tea-seller' could become PM: Sukhdeo Bhagat
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat on Saturday said his party and India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru strengthened the roots of democracy and the Constitution to the extent that a "tea-seller" could become the country's prime minister.
Participating in a debate on 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution, Bhagat hit back at Union minister Rajnath Singh claiming opposition leaders had seen their families keep the Constitution in their pockets for generations and said this was true as the most precious and important things were kept in pockets.
"Yesterday (Friday), ruling party people were attacking Nehru but I would like to tell the House that the Congress and Nehru strengthened the roots of democracy and the Constitution so much that a tea-seller is a prime minister now. The Congress strengthened the roots (of democracy)," the MP from Jharkhand's Lohardaga said.
Slamming the BJP, he claimed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-linked Organiser had said India would not accept the Tricolour and that three colours were inauspicious.
He also alleged that in 2000, then-RSS chief K Surdarshan had called for changing the Constitution.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Spell out contribution of RSS, Hindu Mahasabha to making of Constitution: DMK's A Raja asks BJP
DMK leader A Raja hit out at the BJP on Saturday, claiming that the ruling party would have changed the Constitution had the words "secular" and "socialist" not been added to the Preamble of the document during Emergency.
Participating in a debate on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha, Raja also dared the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to spell out the contribution of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Hindu Mahasabha to the making of the Constitution.
The former Union minister said democracy alone was assaulted when the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) was imposed during Emergency, but under the BJP-led government, the basic structure of the Constitution, codified by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharti case, is under attack.
"Democracy alone was assaulted during MISA, but in your regime, entire six elements (spelt out in the Kesavananda Bharati case), namely democracy, secularism, rule of law, equality, federalism, judicial impartiality, everything has gone," Raja said.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Hathras gang-rape accused still roaming around, says Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi mentions about his recent visit to Hathras gang rape victim's house. He says, "A few days ago, I went to Hathras. Four years ago, a girl was gangraped by three-four people. I was at her house a few days ago. Those who gangraped are roaming outside. And the girl's family is locked in their house, and can't go out."
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: When you give benefits to Adani, you cut farmers' thumbs, says Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi says, "When you give Dharavi to Adani ji, you are cutting the thumbs of small businesses of Dharavi. You are doing the same by giving ports, airports to him. You are cutting the thumb of the honest businesses.
Through lateral entry, you are cutting the thumb of youths, OBCs, and SCs. Speaker sir, the way Eklavya practised, the same way youth practice for exams. Earlier, youth would wake up and train, run. When you started Agniveer, you have cut their thumbs. When you leak papers, you cut the thumb of the youths.
Today outside Delhi, you have fired tear gas and hurt farmers by lathicharge. When you give benefits to Adani and Ambani you cut the farmers' thumbs."
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Rahul Gandhi narrates story of Eklavya
Rahul Gandhi says, "You praise the great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Periyar, and others. But you do it hesitantly. The truth is you want India to be run the way it used to be earlier.
When I was young, all around Delhi, there used to be forest. Right next to AIIMS, there was a jungle. In a similar jungle, thousands of years ago, a child -- six-seven years old -- used to wake up and practise. He would pick up the dhanush and use the bow and arrow. He practised it for years.
People got to know, and he went to his Guru. The child's name was Eklavya, who went to Guru Dronacharya, and said that he has been trying to learn for years and has given all his powers to it. Dronacharya told Eklavya that you do not belong to upper caste and I won't become your Guru and Eklavya left. He again started his tapasya.
Few years later, Dronacharya and Kauravas and Pandavas crossed through the jungle and a dog was barking and suddenly, he went quiet. Dronacharya and Pandavas went close and saw that the dog was stuck in a trap of all three. One arrow was in his mouth, but he wasn't hurt. Eklavya had done it. Dronacharya asked Eklvya who taught him this. He told he practiced for hours and did tapasya. You refused to be my Guru, but I took a clay statue and I practised. Dronacharya wasnt happy, and said that you have to give gurudakshina.
Dronacharya told him for gurudakshina you have to give your skils, you future and your thumb. He gave it to him. This is Abhay mudra. It has confidence, strength. Where does it come from? From the thumb. These people are against this, and you are trying to chop off the thumb of the country. You are cutting the thumb of the youth of this country."
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Rahul Gandhi quotes Savarkar 'Manusmriti is the law'
Rahul Gandhi says, "I want to start my speech by quoting what the supreme leader -- not of the BJP, but of the modern interpretation -- of the ideas of the RSS about the Constitution of India....'The worst thing about the Constitution is that there is nothing Indian about it. Manusmriti is that scripture which is most worship-able after Vedas of our Hindu nation... This book has for centuries codified the spiritual and divine march of our nation. Today, Manusmriti is law'. These are the words of Savarkar.
He has clearly stated in his writing there is nothing Indian about the Constitution. He has written that our Constitution be superceded by Manusmriti. I ask do you follow this book. Because when you speak about the Constitution, you are defaming Sarvarkar.
In my first speech, I described the Maharbharata and Kurukshetra. There is a battle taking place. On this side, we have those defending the Constitution."
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Cutting thumbs of small business of Dharavi when you support Adani
Chaos erupt in Lok Sabha after Rahul Gandhi mentions about Adani. Gandhi says, "When you give Dharavi to Adani ji. Then you are cutting the thumbs of small business of Dharavi. You are doing the same by giving ports, airports to him. You are cutting the thumb of the honest businesses."
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: You defame Savarkar when you defend Constitution, Rahul Gandhi tells BJP MPs
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP MPs saying when they defend the Constitution they are defaming Savarkar.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Spoke about concept of Abhaya Mudra, says Rahul Gandhi
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, "In last few speeches, I spoke about the concept of Abhaya Mudra, the concept of fearlessness, truth and non-violence and I showed the House images of our different religions displaying the Mudra. People call the Constitution longest one in the world. The Constitution contains a set of ideas from one set of philosophical idea of the country."
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Emergency like situation in India, says JMM MP
Vijay Kumar Hansdak, JMM MP from Jharkhand says the BJP has created Emergency like situation in India.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Tejasvi Surya slams Congress, DMK over Katchatheevu island
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya says, "Congress and DMK governments gave Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka without considering the Constitution."
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: 'What's rule of law in the country,' asks A Raja referring to Manipur conflict
Savarkar came up with the two nation - Hindu, Muslim- theory, which was not accepted by Ambedkar, says A Raja. He asks, "What is the rule of law in the country ? Consider the Manipur issue, Bilkis Bano rape case, Wrestlers sexual abuse case."
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: A Raja refers to Fr Stan Swamy, says dissent curbed in country
A Raja, DMK MP mentions about Father Stan Swamy and points out that citizens are curbed from expressing dissent in the country. Raja says Swamy stood for the rights of the tribals in the country.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Citing Kesavananda Bharati case, A Raja emphasises basic structure of Constitution can't be altered
A Raja, DMK MP takes a swipe at the BJP saying, "Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Vice President of your party told media that if you get more than 400 seats, then you will change the Constitution and make the country a Hindu rashtra." Chaos erupt as BJP MPs oppose the statement vehemently.
"Ambedkar was clear on three terms - Constitution, Constitutionalism and Constitutionality," Raja says. Citing Kesavananda Bharati case, Raja says the basic structure of the Constitution cannot be altered.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Rijiju slams Congress over border road construction and Chinese incursion
Taking a swipe at the Congress, Kiren Rijiju says, "The then Defence Minister had said that roads would not be constructed across border areas of northeastern states, so that Chinese incursion can be prevented." The statement triggers uproar in Lok Sabha as Opposition MPs rises up and expresses their counter argument.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Why did Ambedkar resign from Cabinet, asks Kiren Rijiju
A while ago, here's what Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said in Lok Sabha
"...I come from such a region where I have seen airplane first and cars later because it was only after I became an MP the roads for cars were built. When the Prime Minister gave me the opportunity to sit in the place where Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar had sat. When I became the law minister of this country. Before assuming the post of Law Minister, I first tried to understand what Baba Saheb Ambedkar wanted, what all things and thoughts were in his mind which he could not do. The first thing that came to my mind was that Baba Saheb Ambedkar became the first Law Minister of this country but why did he resign is not often discussed in front of people. I read the letter which Baba Saheb Ambedkar wrote to Pandit Nehru ji who was the Prime Minister....Our Constitution is not only the largest Constitution in the world but also the most beautiful Constitution in the world."
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Ambedkar was denied Economy, Planning portfolio in Cabinet, says Kiren Rijiju
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju mentions about BR Ambedkar being denied Economy, Planning portfolio in the then Cabinet. Rijiju says Amedkar was given only law portfolio.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Kiren Rijiju draws parallel between Nehru and Ambedkar
Drawing parallels between Jawaharlal Nehru and BR Ambedkar, Kiren Rijiju says, the latter's views were systematic and addressed the root of problems while the former's views were progressive but underestimated the deep issues of caste system.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Quoting Ambedkar, Rijiju says 'Nehru stood for Muslims, not for SC welfare'
Kiren Rijiju quoted BR Ambedkar as saying, "The Leader of Congress party Nehru never spoke about the welfare of Scheduled Caste and from this we can infer that Pandit Nehru always stood for Muslims."
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: India not only provides legal protection to minorities but also has provision for affirmative action, says Rijiju
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution, a tribal woman serves as the President of India. Citing Article 25 and 19, Rijiju says each citizen has the freedom to practise religion and minorities rights are also protected by the Constitution.
"India not only provides legal protection to minorities, it also has provision for affirmative action," Rijiju says.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Kiren Rijiju addresses Lok Sabha
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju has begun his address in the Lok Sabha. Mentioning about yesterday's debate, Rijiju says, "There were differences of opinion and ideology between the treasury bench and Opposition MPs and the debate was held in a good manner."
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Lok Sabha proceedings begin
Lok Sabha proceedings have begun and Speaker Om Birla is reading out obituary references. Birla has paid tribute to late former External Affairs Minister S M Krishna.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Rajnath vs Priyanka in Lok Sabha yesterday | Recap
On Friday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had initiated the special debate on Constitution, slamming the Congress party for trying to ‘hijack and appropriate’ the document while Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi hit back saying the Centre has forgotten that the “Samvidhan” (Constitution) is not “Sangh ka vidhan” (the law of the RSS).
Hello and welcome to Parliament Winter Session Live blog! Its the second day of special debate on Constitution and PM Modi is expected to deliver his remarks in Lok Sabha. After an action-packed day, the Lower House is likely to witness fiery exchanges today also. TMC MP Mahua Moitra's remarks on former CJI, Justice Loya's death triggered an uproar in Lok Sabha yesterday.
Let's wait and watch what unfolds today in Parliament.
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