Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led the opposition’s fightback – to a soundtrack of cheers and jeers – Friday on Day 1 of the Lok Sabha’s big debate, red-flagging a range of issues from the 2017 Unnao rape and last month’s violence in Sambhal, to sharp attacks on the BJP’s ‘plan’ to re-write the Constitution and making a strong pitch for a national caste census, which has been a core demand of the opposition.
The Congress MP, who also slammed the BJP over the use of federal agencies to “censor” rivals – an allegation often levelled by the opposition, particularly before polls, and tossed in the ‘washing machine’ jibe – delivered her maiden speech in response to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s opening remarks.
“A few days ago, some people from the bereaved families of Sambhal came to meet us… there were two children among them – Adnan and Uzair. One was my son’s age (Raihan Vadra is 24) and the other was around 17. Their father was a tailor who had one dream… to see his sons educated.”
“The police shot their father dead… Adnan told me he would grow up to be a doctor and realise his father’s dream… a dream instilled in him by the Constitution of India,” Ms Gandhi Vadra began.
“Our Constitution is our lighthouse, our ‘suraksha kavach‘ (armour providing safety) … it keeps citizens safe. But it is sad that in 10 years colleagues from the ruling side (referring to the BJP), who make tall claims, have made attempts to break down this ‘kavach’,” she said in a slow and deliberate speech.
“Work to break this ‘kavach‘ has already begun,” Ms Gandhi Vadra warned the Lower House, echoing warnings by Congress leaders, led by her brother Rahul Gandhi, and other opposition MPs- that the BJP, emboldened by a third consecutive term, will alter the Constitution at a basic level.
Ms Gandhi Vadra’s attacks included underlining the opposition’s demand for a caste census.
“… acaste census is the need of the hour but they trivialise it by discussing things like mangalsutras,” she said referring to the row over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comment this year, before the April-May federal election, about the Congress robbing people of their wealth to give to “infiltrators”.
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“He (the Prime Minister) says the Congress wants to take away your gold.. your mangalsutra. The country has been independent for 70 years… the Congress ruled for 55. Did anyone rob you of your gold or mangalsutra? Indira Gandhi gave her gold… my mother sacrificed her mangalsutra…”
“Today people demand a Caste Census. A colleague from the ruling side (Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, whose Republican Party of India (A) is a BJP ally) also mentioned this. A caste census is essential so we know the condition of everyone and policies can be made accordingly,” she said.
“Today people demand a Caste Census to understand the nation’s reality… but the government evades responsibility, often citing events from 1929 or questioning (former Prime Minister Jawaharlal) Nehru’s actions. What is your responsibility?” she asked to rousing cheers from the Congress MPs.
