Priyanka Gandhi demands for justice and a caste census in her maiden Lok Sabha speech.

News Mania Desk / Piyal Chatterjee / 13th December 2024

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a newly elected Wayanad MP, delivered her first Lok Sabha address on Friday during a special session marking the Constitution’s 75th anniversary. During the debate, she addressed urgent topics such as crimes against women, Dalits, and minorities, as well as advocating for a caste census to ensure equitable representation.

Vadra emphasized the Constitution’s importance as a uniting force that allows citizens to form and dissolve governments. She recognized luminaries such as B R Ambedkar, Maulana Azad, C Rajagopalachari, and Jawaharlal Nehru for their vision in developing this framework. She went on to define it as an instrument that allows citizens to hold governments accountable.

“Our Constitution is a protective shield of justice, unity, and freedom of expression,” she told me. She chastised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of striving to undermine the Constitution’s fundamental principles while claiming a newfound appreciation only in the aftermath of electoral defeats.Vadra, who advocates for a caste census, criticized the government’s opposition to such initiatives, claiming that they trivialize important concerns by diverting attention away from them.

“A caste census is the need of the hour to address socio-economic disparities,” she said, emphasizing the importance of recognizing India’s demographic reality to achieve equitable representation.

Vadra also charged the government with eroding reservation policies through programs such as lateral entry and privatisation. Such activities, she argued, undermine constitutional safeguards designed to protect the impoverished.She brought up injustices, mentioning the Unnao rape case and the narrative of Adnan and Uzair from Sambhal, whose father was allegedly murdered by police. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the debate today, and more than 12 BJP heavyweights are expected to participate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to respond tomorrow evening.

The winter session of Parliament, which began on November 25, has suffered delays but is expected to go until December 20.