December 16, 2024
Samirul Islam’s speech centred on ‘Democracy’, as mentioned in the Preamble, during the Special Discussion on the 75th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution of India
Sir, India is the largest democracy in the world. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution. At the beginning of the Constitution, written on November 26, 1949, the words are ‘We the People of India.’ There is a word in our constitution – democracy and this democracy is in question today. According to the Economic Intelligence Unit, India’s democracy score has fallen sharply in the last few years. The decline in democratic institutions and the crackdown on civil liberties are the reasons for this downfall. India’s global ranking has fallen from 27 in 2014 to 46 in 2021. The number of suspensions of opposition MPs has increased 13 times in the last five years. Despite allegations of sexual harassment, communal incitement, and security breaches, no BJP MP has been suspended in the last ten years. Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar wrote this Constitution with the main goal of realizing the demand for equal rights for all people; free from exploitation, discrimination and inequality. But, sometimes I feel whether we will be able to hold and maintain this Constitution, which is our pride and honour. Our Parliament building is the sacred temple of the people, the mosque, the church, or the Gurudwara. I would like to read Article 67 (b) which says, “A VicePresident may be removed from his office by a resolution of the Council of States passed by a majority of all the then members of the Council and agreed to by the House of the people.” If an attempt is made to suppress the opposition voice in this way within the Parliament and outside, the rights under the Constitution throughout the country will seem like a mirage to the common people. Atrocities against religious minorities, tribals, Scheduled Castes, and indigenous people are increasing. The Adivasis are complaining for a long time that their religious code, Sarna Code is not being recognized. Recently, a High Court judge said that the country would run according to the will of the majority. Is this the law! It seems that a judge who is the protector of the Constitution, is talking like a separatist. Look at the planned violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, in the name of the Jama Masjid survey, and four minority youths were killed. This is the state of affairs in the country! The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has raised a new slogan, instead of development – “Batenge to Katenge.” In this way, the divisive politics is being played against the people. We must remember that the divisive politics never brings about improvement in any country. Slogan is “Batenge to Katenge.”
