The 18th Lok Sabha session is currently underway, where the politics of encirclement using the symbols of the Constitution, the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, and the Sengol has sparked a fierce battle. Parties are rallying votes of the marginalized communities by leveraging the emblem and rhetoric of the Constitution and Emergency. The controversy has reached such a height that objections are being raised against even chanting 'Long Live the Constitution' within Parliament. Over this, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi questions if the slogan 'Long Live the Constitution' can't be voiced in India's Parliament, and Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate inquires whether the Speaker has issues with this phrase.
Let's first unravel what the uproar over the slogan 'Long Live the Constitution' in Parliament is about. Apparently, during the swearing-in ceremony, newly elected members raised the slogan while holding the Constitution in hand. Following this, on Thursday, 27th June, Congressman Shashi Tharoor took his oath and stated 'Long Live the Constitution,' subsequently shaking hands with Speaker Om Birla. This was met with an objectionable comment from the Speaker, prompting a noisy uproar from the opposition benches. Haryana MP Deepender Hooda stood up, arguing that no objections should have been raised. 'There's no need for advice on what to object to and not, sit down,' Speaker Birla retorted, an unexpected response that rattled many.
This catalyzed a controversy around banning the slogan 'Long Live the Constitution' in Parliament, causing Priyanka Gandhi to write about an anti-Constitution sentiment emerging in a new form, aiming to weaken our Constitution. Supriya Shrinate tweeted with sarcasm about the Speaker being 'tadāk-tadāk' (aggressive) with five-time MP Deepender Hooda, who won by a much larger margin than the Speaker himself.
Why is the opposition agitated?
The core question arises over whether Speaker Om Birla genuinely objected to the use of 'Long Live the Constitution.' Or is the real grievance of the opposition related to the condemnation motion brought to Lok Sabha on the Emergency, during which Speaker gave a speech criticising decisions taken by the Indira Gandhi Government? Rahul Gandhi brought this issue up in his meeting with the Speaker.
On one hand, the opposition encircles the government with the Constitution as their shield, aiming to claim moral high ground. On the other hand, when Rahul Gandhi asserts that the attacks on the Constitution by PM Modi and Amit Shah will not be tolerated, it becomes evident that they hold the Constitution close, not allowing anyone to undermine it.
The opposition corners the government; BJP recalls the Emergency
It's a calculated political maneuver—playing the 'Constitution' card against the narrative of the Emergency's 50-year anniversary. In this heated milieu, allegations and defenses are intertwined with historical context and current political strategies.
It's a duel of legacies: on one side, the profound Constitution serving as a beacon for diverse groups and on the other, the tumultuous Emergency era that remains a stark reminder of absolute power gone askew.
The article takes a deep dive into the nuances of this political tussle, unraveling the strategic shifts, historical parallels, and the substantial impact of these debates on the very fabric of Indian democracy.
