'India Runs As Per Constitution, Not Manusmriti': Rahul Gandhi Launches Scathing Attack On Centre

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi today launched a scathing critique of the BJP-led government during a debate in the Lok Sabha marking 75 years since the adoption of the Constitution.

In his speech, Gandhi drew a stark contrast between the Indian Constitution and the Manusmriti, a religious text, while invoking the writings of Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar.

Photo Credit: PTI

"The worst thing about the Constitution of India is that there is nothing Indian about it. Manusmriti is that scripture which is most worshippable after the Vedas for our Hindu nation and from which our ancient times have become the basis for our culture, customs, thought and practice. This book, for centuries, has codified the spiritual and divine march of our nation. Today, Manusmriti is law.' These are the words of Savarkar... Savarkar has clearly stated in his writings that there is nothing Indian about our Constitution. He has clearly stated that the book India is run by should be superseded by this book. This is what the fight is about," Gandhi said, holding a copy of the Constitution in his right hand and the Manusmriti in his left.

The Congress leader took a cheeky jibe at BJP leaders that praising the Constitution, they were insulting Savarkar.

"I want to ask you (the ruling side), do you stand by your leader's words? Do you support your leader's words? Because when you speak in Parliament about protecting the Constitution, you are ridiculing Savarkar, you are abusing Savarkar, you are defaming Savarkar," he remarked.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accused Congress of selectively appropriating constitutional values while overlooking its own historical contradictions. Rijiju, opening the session with a rebuttal, criticised Congress for its treatment of Dr BR Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Constitution.

Rijiju alleged that the party had marginalised Dr Ambedkar and acknowledged his contributions only later. Citing a document, he discussed Dr Ambedkar's critique of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, claiming that Nehru's focus was primarily on appeasement politics rather than addressing the concerns of Scheduled Castes.

While Gandhi attacked Savarkar, his sister, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, delivering her maiden speech in the Lok Sabha yesterday, took aim at the RSS, accusing the BJP of confusing 'Bharat ka Samvidhan' (the Constitution of India) with 'Sangh ka Vidhan' (the RSS's ideology).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to make the closing remarks in the ongoing two-day debate on the Constitution.