New Delhi: On the second day of the parliamentary debate on 75 years of the Constitution, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi Saturday launched a scathing attack on the BJP, alleging that the Manusmriti, instead of the Constitution, was being implemented in Uttar Pradesh.
Referring to his recent visit to Hathras, where he met the family of a 19-year-old Dalit girl who was allegedly gangraped and murdered, the Congress leader claimed that while the perpetrators roamed free, the victim’s family lived in fear, unable to step outside due to constant threats.
“Where in the Constitution is it written that a rapist should be free, while the family of the victim is confined? This is written in your book, Manusmriti, not in the Constitution…The Constitution is not being implemented in Uttar Pradesh—Manusmriti is,” Gandhi said.
He went on to claim that the family of the victim told him that the Uttar Pradesh government had promised them relocation and land to settle elsewhere. However, no such relocation had occurred. “I want to say in this House, the people who believe in Ambedkar’s Constitution—the INDIA bloc—we will collectively ensure that family is relocated if you fail to do so,” he declared.
Gandhi also spoke about Sambhal, which witnessed violent clashes last month following a local court’s order to survey the Shahi Jama Masjid.
“Wherever you go, you incite religious discord and spread hatred. Where is it written in the Constitution that one religion must fight another? Where is it written that a Dalit family must remain locked indoors while the culprits roam free?” he asked, targeting the BJP.
Gandhi concluded his speech by quoting Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who said that if there is political equality but no social and economic equality, political equality will be destroyed. He claimed that political equality in India had already eroded, with all national institutions captured and social and economic equality absent.
He further promised that the Opposition would implement a caste census, stating, “We will conduct the caste census, and India will witness a new kind of development and politics. We will break the 50% ceiling on reservations.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reply to the two-day debate later in the day.
‘Nothing Indian about Constitution’
Gandhi also invoked V. D. Savarkar in his speech, contrasting the vision of leaders like Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jawaharlal Nehru with that of the RSS.
“When we look at the Constitution, we hear the voices and ideas of Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru. But where did these ideas come from? They are rooted in India’s ancient and profound traditions—from Shiva, Guru Nanak, Basavanna, Buddha, Mahavira, and Kabir. The Constitution is a modern document, but it could not have been written without these ancient Indian ideas,” he said.
He then quoted Savarkar, saying: “The worst thing about the Constitution of India is that there is nothing Indian about it. Manusmriti is that scripture which is most worshipable after Vedas for our Hindu nation, and from which our ancient times have become the basis of our culture, customs, thought and practice. This book, for centuries, has codified the spiritual and divine march of our nation. Today Manusmriti is law.”
Holding copies of the Constitution and Manusmriti, Gandhi declared: “He (Savarkar) has clearly stated that the book India is run by (Constitution), should be superseded by this book (Manusmriti).”
“And this is what the fight is about,” the LoP asserted, adding that while the parliamentarians were defending the Constitution, “I want to ask you, do you stand by your leader’s words?”
Adani and Ambani
Gandhi also referred to the story of Ekalavya, who was forced to cut off his thumb as a guru dakshina to Dronacharya, to criticise the BJP’s policies.
“Like Ekalavya’s thumb, you are severing the country’s thumb,” he said, accusing the government of favouring industrialists like “Adani and Ambani” at the expense of small businesses and entrepreneurs.
“When you hand over Dharavi to Adani, you cut the thumbs of its entrepreneurs and small businesses. When you give India’s ports, airports, and defence industry to Adani, you undermine honest businesses. By introducing lateral entry into the system, you cut the opportunities for India’s youth and backward communities,” he argued.
He extended this analogy to the Agniveer scheme, claiming it deprived young Indians of a future in the armed forces.
“Outside Delhi, you tear-gassed and baton-charged farmers demanding MSP and fair prices. Farmers demand MSP and correct prices from you, but you benefit Ambani and Adani, and cut off the farmers’ thumbs,” he added.
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)
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