New Delhi: Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar Tuesday said “disturbance as a strategy” threatened democratic institutions, particularly when decorum and discipline have been “cliff hanging” in recent Parliamentary discourse.
Dhankhar also called on all citizens, particularly legislators, to “amplify our nation’s resonance on the world stage”, in his address to a joint sitting of Parliament which marked the beginning of year-long celebrations of 75 years of the Constitution.
The date 26 November is observed as Constitution Day as the document was adopted on this day in 1949. It came into effect on 26 January, 1950.
Delivering the strong rebuke, Dhankar said: “In contemporaneous times, with decorum and discipline cliff hanging in parliamentary discourse, this day we need to resolve by reiterating pristine glory of our Constituent Assembly embellished functioning. Disturbance as a strategy threatens democratic institutions.”
The Vice President also said it was time to restore the sanctity of our democratic temples through constructive dialogues, debates, and meaningful discussions “to serve our people effectively”. President Droupadi Murmu also addressed the gathering.
A commemorative coin and stamp dedicated to the milestone, along with books on the Constitution of India, were released Tuesday. Two versions of the Constitution, in Sanskrit and Maithili, were also launched.
‘Must always put nation first’
In his speech, Dhankar emphasised how the Constitution’s opening words, “We, the people of India”, carried deep meaning, establishing citizens of India as the ultimate authority — with Parliament serving as its voice.
He pointed out that the Constitution assured fundamental rights and ordained fundamental duties, which defined informed citizenship, “reflecting Dr Ambedkar’s caution that internal conflicts, more than external threats, endanger democracy”.
Dhankar added: “(It’s) Time for us to fully commit to our fundamental duties—protecting national sovereignty, fostering unity, prioritising national interests, and safeguarding our environment. We must always put our nation first. We need to be on guard as never before.”
‘33% women’s quota a force’
The Vice President also spoke of the Constitution amendment that provides 33 percent reservation to women in Parliament and state assemblies. He said the amendment ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ was a force, which underscored “our Constitutional adaptability to create a just and equitable society”.
Without referring to any particular law, he also asserted that it was a constitutional ordainment “that the Parliament after shaping legislation must also ensure legislation trajectory in the right direction”.
Dhankar pointed out that 25 June was now set to be observed every year, “reminding us of the Emergency—the darkest period when fundamental rights of the citizens were suspended, people were detained without any reason and civil rights were violated”.
“Let us commit to building a more vital collective consciousness of our Constitution, that binds us as people and promotes progressive nation building ideas while shielding us from the consequences of sectarian perspectives,” he added.
‘Heed Dr Ambedkar’s advice’
In conclusion, Dhankhar quoted Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who in his last address in the Constituent Assembly on 25 November 1949, had said, “What perturbs me greatly is the fact that not only India has once before lost her independence, but she lost it by the infidelity and treachery of some of her own people. Will history repeat itself?”
“It is this thought which fills me with anxiety. This anxiety is deepened by the realization of facts that in addition to our old enemies in the form of caste and creeds, we are going to have many political parties with diverse and opposing political creeds,” Dr Ambedkar had further said.
Dhankhar noted that Ambedkar had raised a question at that time: “Will Indians place the country above their creed or will they place creed above country?”
“I do not know,” Ambedkar had said, adding, “If the parties place creed above country, our independence will be put in jeopardy a second time and probably be lost forever. This eventuality we must all resolutely guard against. We must be determined to defend our independence with the last drop of our blood.”
Quoting Ambedkar’s words, Dhankhar then appealed to everyone to “heed wise counsel emanating from the ‘Father of the Indian Constitution’”.
(Edited by: Tikli Basu)
Also Read: ‘Those rejected by public resorting to hooliganism’: Modi slams Opposition ahead of Winter Session