Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to respond to a special debate in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, marking the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution. The discussion will begin on Friday, while a similar debate in the Rajya Sabha is scheduled for December 16 and 17. The Upper House debate will be initiated and led by Home Minister Amit Shah.

The decision to hold discussions in both Houses came after opposition parties demanded recognition of the milestone anniversary. However, the event has also become a platform for political sparring, with opposition leaders accusing the ruling BJP of planning to fundamentally alter the Constitution if it secures a third consecutive term.

Opposition Raises Alarm

Allegations about possible constitutional changes were central to opposition campaigns during the April-June federal elections. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra prominently highlighted this issue, often holding up red-bound copies of the Constitution at rallies to underscore their concerns. Both leaders even took their oaths as Members of Parliament with copies of the Constitution in hand, signaling the importance they place on the matter.

Since then, Congress and other opposition parties have continued their critique of the BJP, with frequent warnings about potential constitutional amendments under the Modi government.

BJP Pushes Back on Claims

The BJP has repeatedly dismissed these allegations. In May, Amit Shah argued that the Modi government, despite holding a strong mandate during its first two terms, did not pursue any fundamental changes to the Constitution. “For ten years, we had the mandate to amend the Constitution but chose not to,” Shah asserted, dismissing the claims as baseless fear-mongering.

Still, concerns among the opposition resurfaced following recent remarks by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. Speaking about the Constitution, Rijiju stated, “People have looked at the Constitution with different perspectives over time... amendments have been made as well.” His comments fueled fresh debates, with the opposition interpreting them as signals of potential future changes.

Looking Ahead

The debate on the Constitution's 75th anniversary comes against this politically charged backdrop. While the government has emphasized the significance of the occasion and its commitment to constitutional values, opposition leaders continue to raise red flags, keeping the spotlight on this contentious issue. All eyes will be on the discussions in Parliament, particularly Prime Minister Modi's address, to see how the ruling party responds to the allegations and reinforces its stance on upholding the Constitution.