Shrikant Shinde’s Counterattack: “If Indira Gandhi called Swatantryaveer Savarkar the ‘great son’ of India, does that make her anti-Constitution?”
Shrikant Shinde : New Delhi: Parliament witnessed a heated debate and chaos during a discussion on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution. Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MP Shrikant Shinde stirred controversy by bringing up former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s letter in which she referred to Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar as the ‘great son’ of the country. Shrikant Shinde questioned if this statement meant that Indira Gandhi opposed the Constitution, leading to uproar. During his speech, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi abruptly stood up, intensifying the commotion in Parliament.
What Happened?
The uproar began after Rahul Gandhi, in his speech earlier, criticized the BJP over its perceived reverence for Savarkar. Rahul Gandhi remarked that Savarkar once said, “The worst thing about the Indian Constitution is that there is nothing Indian in it.” Gandhi accused the BJP of endorsing Savarkar’s views, which he claimed were contrary to the ideals of the Indian Constitution.
In response, Shrikant Shinde launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. He accused the Congress of historical acts against the Constitution and raised questions about its legacy.
Shrikant Shinde’s Speech: Strong Counterattack on Congress
Shrikant Shinde highlighted several allegations against Congress:
- He accused Congress of undermining Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar during the formation of the Constitution.
- Shinde referenced the anti-Sikh riots and firing on Kar Sevaks during Congress regimes.
- He also pointed out incidents like the bomb blasts in Mumbai during Congress’s tenure, alleging a pattern of constitutional violations under its leadership.
Shinde added that Indira Gandhi herself had lauded Savarkar as a ‘great son of India’ in a written letter. “Was Indira Gandhi against the Constitution for saying this?” he questioned, directing his remarks at Rahul Gandhi. This provocative statement led to an uproar in Parliament, with members from both sides engaging in heated exchanges.
A Heated Debate Turns Chaotic
Rahul Gandhi’s earlier remarks about Savarkar served as the trigger for Shinde’s sharp retort. Shinde accused the Congress of hypocrisy, pointing out contradictions in their stance regarding Savarkar. He alleged that Congress’s repeated disrespect towards the Constitution and national leaders like Savarkar showed their disregard for India’s democratic principles.
As Shrikant Shinde concluded his speech, the Parliament floor became a battleground of verbal clashes, with members from opposing sides engaging in loud protests.
A Clash of Ideologies
The debate on the Constitution’s anniversary turned into a clash between two opposing narratives: one questioning BJP’s ideological alignment with Savarkar, and the other accusing Congress of undermining the Constitution and historical national unity.
This incident reflects the continued politicization of historical figures and events in contemporary debates, showcasing how past legacies remain central to India’s parliamentary discourse.
Source : https://marathi.abplive.com/news/politics/shrikant-shinde-lok-sabha-speech-reply-to-rahul-gandhi-after-criticizing-bjp-the-constitution-parliament-winter-session-marathi-news-1332842