NEW DELHI, Dec 16 (KNS): BJP President J P Nadda strongly criticized the Congress over the inclusion of Article 370, emphasizing the pivotal role of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who fiercely opposed the provision and sacrificed his life for the cause. Speaking during a Rajya Sabha discussion on the "Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India," Nadda condemned former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for the provision’s inclusion, noting that Dr. B R Ambedkar had opposed it. He also pointed out that Article 35A was introduced without a parliamentary debate, through Presidential assent.
Nadda praised Mookerjee for his steadfast opposition to Article 370, saying, “I am proud to say Syama Prasad Mookerjee raised the issue of Article 370 and sacrificed his life for it. His mother wrote to Nehru Ji and sought an investigation. But that request was ignored, and this is also registered in the pages of history.”
Reflecting on the historic moment of Article 370’s abrogation in 2019, Nadda described it as a moment of national pride, emphasizing the positive change it brought to Jammu and Kashmir. “It is a question of the good lot and the bad lot. After the bad lot, we got the good lot. On August 5, 2019, we abrogated Article 370. I once again congratulate the PM. Because of his wisdom, Jammu and Kashmir is now an inseparable part of India,” he remarked.
Nadda also targeted the Congress over its amendments to the Preamble during the Emergency and its role in implementing Article 370. Quoting Dr. Ambedkar, Nadda remarked, “However good a Constitution may be, if those who are implementing it are not good, it will prove to be bad.” He accused the Congress of interfering with the Constitution multiple times for political gain.
Lauding the architects of the Constitution, Nadda highlighted that India’s democratic ideals are deeply rooted in its culture.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel“As the prime minister said, India is not just the largest democracy, but the mother of democracy. As per Indian ethos, democracy comprises freedom, acceptability, equality, inclusivity, and allowing citizens to lead a dignified life,” he said.
Turning his focus to the 50th anniversary of the Emergency in 2025, Nadda criticized the Congress for imposing the Emergency in 1975, calling it an attack on democracy. He declared that June 25, 2025, would be observed as "Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas" (Constitution Murder Day) to mark the tragic day when democracy was undermined. He further invited Congress to join the BJP in observing this day if they truly regretted their actions. “Congress leaders say they have apologised for the Emergency, but how do we believe this? On June 25, 2025, we will observe anti-democracy day. We invite the Indian National Congress to join us. If there is any regret in their hearts, I invite you to join us,” Nadda said.
Nadda also criticized the amendments to the Preamble during the Emergency, particularly the inclusion of the terms ‘secular’ and ‘socialist.’ He cited Ambedkar’s opposition to these additions, quoting him as saying, “There was no need to include 'secular', as the entire Constitution embodied the concept of a secular state that meant no discrimination on grounds of religion and equal rights and status for all citizens.” On the term ‘socialist,’ Nadda noted that Ambedkar believed it contradicted the democratic nature of the country, asserting that it should not dictate the kind of society Indians should live in.
Nadda reaffirmed the BJP's commitment to the Constitution’s values and its efforts to continue strengthening democracy in India. (KNS).