Lok Sabha Commences Two-Day Debate on Constitution to Celebrate Its 75th Anniversary

The Lok Sabha will commence a two-day debate on the Constitution to commemorate the 75th anniversary of its adoption. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to respond to this debate on Saturday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will initiate the discussion in the Lok Sabha, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to do so in the Rajya Sabha, according to government sources.

As per the Lok Sabha's agenda, a special discussion on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution's adoption is scheduled. This discussion will follow the Question Hour, which is also part of the lower house's agenda. Ahead of this debate, Prime Minister Modi convened a strategy meeting attended by Shah, Singh, and BJP president J P Nadda.

Opposition Strategy and Meetings

Amit Shah previously held a meeting with senior BJP ministers, including Nadda, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju at his Parliament office. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress organised a strategy meeting at its headquarters. This meeting was attended by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, former chief Rahul Gandhi, and other senior leaders like K C Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh to plan their parliamentary strategy for the upcoming week.

The Winter Session of Parliament is expected to conclude on December 20. Rahul Gandhi was initially expected to lead the opposition's discussion on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha as Leader of Opposition. However, some leaders suggested a strategic shift where Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra might open the debate for the opposition camp, marking her first speech in the Lok Sabha.

Rajya Sabha Debate and Historical Context

Kharge will begin the debate from the opposition side in the Rajya Sabha. The upper house will hold its debate on December 16 and 17, with Prime Minister Modi expected to reply on Tuesday. The debate on the Constitution has been a significant demand of the opposition during this Winter Session of Parliament.

The BJP-led NDA government agreed with the Opposition to hold a debate on December 13-14 in the Lok Sabha and December 16-17 in the Rajya Sabha. On November 26, 1949, India's Constituent Assembly formally adopted the Constitution, which took effect on January 26, 1950, establishing India as a sovereign democratic republic.

In 2015, India officially declared November 26 as Constitution Day or Samvidhan Divas to honour this adoption. Since then, this day is celebrated annually across the nation.