In a symbolic act of protest, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi displayed a copy of the Constitution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the oath-taking ceremony on the first day of the 18th Lok Sabha session. The gesture, captured in a video shared by the Congress party, has ignited a political discussion about the safeguarding of constitutional values.
As Prime Minister Modi approached the stage to take his oath as an MP, Rahul Gandhi was seen holding up the Constitution. Speaking to reporters afterward, Gandhi explained, “The attack that the PM and Amit Shah are launching on the Constitution is not acceptable to us. We will not let this happen. So, we held the Constitution while taking the oath. Our message is going across; no power can touch the Constitution of India.”
Prime Minister Modi, who retained his Varanasi seat, was sworn in for his third consecutive term earlier this month, along with his Council of Ministers on June 9. As the leader of the House, he was the first to take the oath in Hindi, amidst enthusiastic chants of “Jai Shri Ram” from the treasury benches.
The first day of the 18th Lok Sabha’s inaugural session saw a significant show of unity from the opposition. Members of the INDIA bloc gathered in the Parliament complex, marching together to the Lok Sabha while chanting slogans to “save Constitution.” Key opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Trinamool Congress’ Sudip Bandyopadhyay, and DMK’s TR Baalu, assembled at the former location of the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi also participated in this display of solidarity.
जय संविधान ✊ pic.twitter.com/HzaF0vWDal
— Congress (@INCIndia) June 24, 2024
The session commenced on Monday morning, with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address scheduled to begin on June 28. Prime Minister Modi is expected to respond to the debate on July 2 or 3.
This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions and the opposition’s commitment to defending constitutional principles. Rahul Gandhi’s gesture has set a confrontational tone for the parliamentary session, emphasizing the critical importance of preserving the integrity of India’s Constitution.
