Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge speaks during the Budget Session, in New Delhi on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
| Photo Credit: ANI via Sansad TV
The Congress walked out of the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday (February 11, 2025) over remarks by BJP MP Radha Mohan Das Agarwal during zero hour that over 22 illustrations from the original Constitution were removed without Parliament’s approval. Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the BJP was trying to disrespect the drafters of the Constitution, including Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, to create a controversy. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar agreed with Mr. Agarwal and asked the government to ensure that only the original version of the Constitution is printed and circulated. Leader of the House J.P. Nadda said the Congress should have supported Mr. Agarwal.
Mr. Agarwal said the Constituent Asembly asked artist Nandlal Bose to paint illustrations for the Constitution, including paintings of Lord Sri Ram, Lord Krishna, Lord Buddha, and Lord Mahavir. “The photos of Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Rani Lakshmi Bai were removed by these people. They could not accept the photo of Netaji Bose,” he said, adding that the illustrations were removed in an unconstitutional manner.
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The Congress objected to this statement. Opposition Leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the BJP was trying to create a controversy. “They are unnecessarily raising the issue and want to create a controversy over Ambedkar’s Constitution. They never raised this issue when Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhai Patel, and others were alive… Your leader, Shyamprasad Mukherji, was alive. Now they are bringing new issues. I have also seen the Constitution. Whatever changes were made to the Constitution were introduced by consensus. This is an attempt to create a controversy and defame Ambedkar. This is wrong,” Mr. Kharge alleged.
‘Defaming’ Ambedkar
At this point, Mr. Dhankhar said publishing a wrong Constitution will be an attempt to defame Dr. Ambedkar, and he invited Mr. Nadda to speak. Mr. Nadda agreed with the points raised by Mr. Agarwal and said it was unfortunate that the Congress is trying to take advantage of the issue by making it political and alleging that attempts are being made to defame Ambedkar. “Mr. Agarwal did not speak a single word on Dr. Ambedkar. This (Mr. Kharge’s comments) should be expunged,” he demanded and added that the Centre will ensure that the the Constitution is published, keeping in mind its original form.
The Congress walked out after Mr. Nadda’s intervention. Mr. Dhankhar said the Constitution signed by the founding fathers of the Constitution, carrying 22 miniatures, is the only authentic one and it can include amendments by the Parliament. “If there is any change effected by the judiciary or any institution, it is not acceptable to this House.” On the Opposition’s walk-out, he said, “I am a little puzzled and surprised that the Leader of the Opposition walked out. Do not find any rational ground. It is, according to me a direct insult to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. How can anyone contemplate coming in the way of the dissemination of that Constitution, of which the architect is Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, that Constitution that was signed by our founding fathers? I am sure the sentiment of the House is taken note of,” he added.
Published – February 11, 2025 11:30 pm IST