News Mania / Piyal Chatterjee / 20th October 2024
Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha’s leader of the opposition, has called Manusmriti essentially unconstitutional. He said that the intellectual struggle between the Constitution and Manusmriti has lasted for generations while speaking at the “Samvidhan Samman Sammelan” here on Saturday. Although India’s Constitution was formally drafted in 1949–1950, Rahul Gandhi emphasized that its fundamental ideas date back thousands of years, having been influenced by thinkers such as Lord Buddha, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Birsa Munda, Narayana Guru, and Basavanna (a poet and philosopher).
“Without the influence of these great leaders, the Constitution might not have come into existence. Today, however, that progressive thinking is under siege,” he said, adding that safeguarding the Constitution is the nation’s most urgent task.
Rahul Gandhi criticized the Central government, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and others of deliberately undermining the Constitution. He issued a warning, saying, “We will not allow them to undermine and destroy it.”The Congress MP reaffirmed the Congress party’s commitment to a caste census and said that since 1% of the people owns 90% of the rights, it is imperative to address the growing disparity. He asserted that the history of these marginalized communities is being lost, and he reiterated his commitment to conducting the caste census at whatever costs and to raising the 50% reservation cap.
Rahul Gandhi voiced his disapproval of the underrepresentation of disadvantaged and tribal people in India’s educational system. As he reflected on his own education in India, he noted that the history, culture, and contributions of backward castes, Dalits, and tribal people are barely covered in any chapters. He claimed that the curriculum mostly ignores the contributions of OBCs, farmers, and laborers, and that Dalits are only mentioned in one sentence about untouchability. In addition, he criticized the nation’s bureaucratic system for its discriminatory practices, pointing out that backward classes, Dalits, and tribal peoples are glaringly underrepresented in important ministries. He clarified that tribal officials control even less and Dalit officers only control Re 1 if Rs 100 is set up for spending.
Gandhi further highlighted the lack of representation of these communities in sectors like media, corporate leadership, judiciary, and entertainment, accusing the government of deliberately keeping them away from their rightful share of power and opportunities.
Targeting the BJP, he said they refer to tribals as “Vanvasis” (forest dwellers), which he believes is an attempt to marginalize them. “Tribals were the original inhabitants of this land,” he asserted, adding, “they have the first right to its resources.”
He charged that because of President Droupadi Murmu’s tribal heritage, the BJP had excluded her from important national events like the inauguration of Parliament and the Ram temple. Gandhi further charged that the BJP has taken over important organizations, such as the bureaucracy, the Election Commission, the CBI, the ED, the media, and the Income Tax.
