- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: In a recent debate in the Rajya Sabha, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticized the Congress party for repeatedly amending the Constitution for its own benefit, claiming that these changes have restricted civil liberties. She noted that the first amendment, enacted under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s interim government, was aimed at curbing freedom of speech, particularly following a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Communist magazine “Cross Roads” and the RSS magazine “Organizer.”
Sitharaman emphasized that this amendment negatively impacted the press and media freedom, despite opposition from some Members of Parliament at the time. She called for a critical evaluation of constitutional amendments based on their genuineness, outcomes for the public, the processes involved, and adherence to the Constitution’s spirit.
She referenced historical criticisms from figures like Syama Prasad Mukherjee and Kameshwar Singh, who expressed concerns about the Congress party’s disregard for the Constitution. Sitharaman also accused the Congress of undermining the judiciary, citing examples such as the amendments introduced during the Emergency in 1975 to nullify court judgments and censor critical works.
In her remarks, she reaffirmed the importance of the Constitution, highlighting that while many countries have altered their constitutions significantly, India’s Constitution has endured and adapted through numerous amendments over the past 75 years.
