The debate on the Constitution will be held on December 13 and 14 in the Lok Sabha, and 16 and 17 in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said
Members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have agreed to hold a debate on the Indian Constitution next week, following a series of disrupted parliamentary sessions. The breakthrough was achieved during an all-party meeting chaired by Speaker Om Birla, signalling potential resolution to ongoing tensions.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, addressing reporters outside Parliament, confirmed that the debate is scheduled for December 13 and 14 in the Lok Sabha, followed by December 16 and 17 in the Rajya Sabha. “It is not good to disrupt parliamentary proceedings. We appeal to all Opposition leaders to honour the agreement and ensure Parliament functions smoothly from tomorrow,” Rijiju said, urging all members to uphold decorum during the session.
The ongoing winter session, which began on November 25, has been marred by frequent adjournments. The session, set to continue until December 20, is expected to feature the Constitution debate as its key highlight.
Opposition parties had been advocating for discussions in both houses to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly. This demand gained momentum after recent remarks by Union Minister Rijiju on the government’s position on the Constitution.
The Opposition has raised concerns over potential amendments to the Constitution, citing statements from prominent BJP leaders. Speculation about possible changes has intensified with the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah dismissed the Opposition’s claims, asserting that the BJP has no intentions of amending the Constitution. “We have had the mandate to change the Constitution for the last 10 years, but we never did. What do you think Rahul Baba and company would say? This country has given us a clear mandate, and people already know that Modi ji had a sufficient majority to change the Constitution, but we never did that,” Shah stated.
His comments, made in May, were aimed at countering the Opposition’s narrative about the BJP’s constitutional ambitions.
Rijiju’s recent comments during the Constitution Day celebrations on November 26 reignited the debate. These remarks prompted renewed demands from the Opposition for a detailed discussion on the Constitution’s future and its protection.
The upcoming debate is expected to focus on these concerns and will likely shape the remaining days of the winter session.
Rijiju said Lok Sabha Speaker told the meeting that if anyone wants to raise an issue, there is a rule for it.
“You can submit a notice for it but creating a ruckus in Parliament and obstructing the functioning is not good. Everyone has accepted this. It is good that everyone has accepted that discussions will be held from tomorrow. We will pass the first Bill tomorrow after discussions in Lok Sabha. In Rajya Sabha too, Listed Business will be passed. I appeal once again to all Opposition MPs and Leaders that all agreements that have happened today – we should run the Parliament smoothly…Starting tomorrow, the Parliament will function smoothly – such an agreement has been made. I am hopeful that this will happen,” he said.
Those present at the meeting of floor leaders included Congress member Gaurav Gogoi, TDP’s Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, DMK’s TR Baalu, NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule, Samajwadi Party’s Dharmendra Yadav, Janata Dal-United member Dileshwar Kamait, RJD’s Abhay Kushwaha – RJD, TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant and CPI(M) leader K Radhakrisnan.
Gaurav Gogoi said the opposition has been demanding a discussion on the Constitution of India in both the Houses of Parliament to mark 75 years of adoption of Constitution.
Kalyan Banerjee expressed hope that Parliament will resume normal functioning from tomorrow. “Hopefully, the House will begin from tomorrow. We all have agreed on that. There will be a discussion on the Consitution of India on the 13th and 14th of December…The Speaker will allow a discussion on the Sambhal incident and Bangladesh issue tomorrow,” he said.
Parliament proceedings have been stalled since the beginning of the Winter Session amid protests by opposition parties. On Monday, the two Houses were adjourned till 12 noon and then for the rest of the day. The winter session of Parliament began on November 25 and will continue till December 20
On the Opposition raising other issues such as Sambhal violence and Manipur, Mr Rijiju said a decision will be taken in accordance with the rules. These issues have led to constant adjournments of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha since the session began on November 25.
Some Opposition parties, especially the Trinamool Congress, want parliament to discuss a host of different issues, including unemployment, price rise and the Centre’s alleged discrimination against Opposition-ruled states in fund allocation.
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