New Delhi: All members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have agreed to a debate on the Constitution next week, following a series of disrupted parliamentary sessions. This agreement came after an all-party meeting with Speaker Om Birla today.
The debate on the Constitution is scheduled to take place on December 13 and 14 in the Lok Sabha, and on December 16 and 17 in the Rajya Sabha, as announced by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju outside Parliament. Rijiju emphasized the importance of maintaining order, urging opposition leaders to honor their commitment to ensuring smooth parliamentary proceedings from tomorrow.
The winter session of Parliament, which began on November 25, has seen early adjournments due to disruptions. The session will continue until December 20. Opposition parties had called for debates in both Houses to mark the 75th anniversary of the Constitution's adoption by the Constituent Assembly.
Meanwhile, the ruling BJP has been countering opposition claims that Prime Minister Modi's government intends to alter the Constitution. Home Minister Amit Shah has dismissed such allegations, stating that despite having a strong mandate for over ten years, the government has never sought to amend the Constitution. "We have had the mandate to change the Constitution for the last 10 years, but we never did that," Shah stated in May, urging the public not to believe opposition claims.
Recent remarks by Kiren Rijiju, however, have reignited the opposition's concerns. Speaking at the Constitution Day celebrations on November 26, Rijiju described the Constitution as a living document that has evolved over time through amendments. "The Constitution is a book, but as citizens, we must follow a way of life. It is a journey, and like any living entity, it will evolve. Except for the core principles, which must remain intact, nothing is permanent in a democracy," he remarked.
Regarding other contentious issues raised by the opposition, such as the violence in Sambhal and the situation in Manipur, Rijiju stated that decisions would be made according to parliamentary rules. Since the session's start, both Houses have faced constant adjournments over these issues.
Some opposition parties, particularly the Trinamool Congress, have pushed for debates on a range of issues including unemployment, price hikes, and alleged central government bias against opposition-ruled states in fund allocation. The Trinamool, however, has distanced itself from the Congress-led opposition strategy, opting not to participate in the INDIA bloc's joint approach.
The BJP has accused the Congress of being the primary violator of constitutional principles when it was in power, while asserting that the Modi government has strengthened constitutional practices over its decade-long rule.