Is Nehru responsible for everything, asks Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during constitutional debate
With Wayanad, Sambhal, Unnao, and Agra in her thoughts, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on Friday, reminded her fellow parliamentarians and Indian citizens following the Lok Sabha proceedings that India’s history shows no tolerance for timid leadership. Speaking to Speaker Om Birla during her maiden speech in the Lok Sabha, Priyanka shared an age-old tale of a monarch who would venture into the marketplace at night, disguised, to understand his subjects’ true sentiments about his rule.
“Today’s ruler changes attire but dreads facing public scrutiny or criticism,” she remarked with subtle irony. “This nation stands on the pillars of strength and perseverance. Our Constitution empowers the people. Fear has its boundaries. This nation thrives on valor, not intimidation. History proves that cowardly rulers never last. This nation will rise and demand accountability.”
Sharing her firsthand experiences, Priyanka spoke of her encounters with sexual assault survivors in Agra and Unnao, victims of violence in Sambhal, and those who lost everything in Wayanad’s landslide. “They all expressed their determination to fight. The Constitution of India fuels their resilience,” Priyanka emphasized. “When citizens from Manipur, Sambhal, and Agra seek justice, the prime minister remains unmoved. Perhaps he fails to grasp that this is India’s Constitution, not the Sangh’s doctrine.”
The two-day Lok Sabha discussion, which commenced Friday, marks the 75th anniversary of India’s Constitution adoption. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to conclude the debate on Saturday. The day belonged to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who recently secured victory in the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-poll.
“The Treasury bench constantly dwells on history, questioning Nehru ji’s actions. Address the present instead. Inform the nation about your current initiatives. Must everything be attributed to Nehru?” she challenged. Priyanka questioned the government’s delay in implementing women’s reservation legislation. “You discuss Nari Shakti because you’ve realized governments can’t function without women’s participation. Why hasn’t the Women’s reservation Act been executed? Should women wait another decade?” she probed. “Learn from 1975’s lessons and seek atonement. Conduct elections using ballot papers. The truth will emerge crystal clear.”
She argued that public pressure forced the government to address constitutional matters and caste census discussions. “This debate stems from recent Lok Sabha poll outcomes. Different results might have led to constitutional amendments. They realized Indians wouldn’t permit constitutional alterations. People demand caste census today. Understanding demographics is crucial for effective policy-making. Their narrative focused on trivial fears about buffalo theft and mangalsutra snatching. This reflects their stance on caste census,” she stated.
Priyanka accused the BJP of compromising electoral democracy, alleging financial manipulation to overthrow elected governments and encourage opposition defections. “They operate a metaphorical washing machine. Cross over to their side, and all stains vanish. This side bears the stigma, that side promises cleansing. Consider the events in Himachal, Maharashtra, and Goa?”
Like her brother, Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka highlighted the Adani issue. “Everything changes for one individual,” she observed. “Agricultural laws favor industrialists. Himachal’s cold storage facilities were transferred to Adani by the Centre, not the state government. All resources, opportunities, infrastructure, and public assets are being channeled to a single entity. The wealth gap widens as the poor struggle while the affluent prosper.”
While Defence Minister Rajnath discussed the June 1975 events without explicitly mentioning the Emergency, Priyanka highlighted the developments of the past decade. “Truth-tellers face suppression. ED, CBI, and I-T departments silence dissent. Opposition leaders face imprisonment. Uttar Pradesh labeled protesting teachers as traitors. Their media machinery perpetuates falsehoods, perhaps driven by fear themselves. This resembles British-era intimidation tactics. Fear-mongers live in constant dread. They avoid discussions and criticism. Despite our repeated requests for parliamentary dialogue, they lack the courage to engage,” Priyanka concluded.
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