The Freethought Party of India (FPI) in collaboration with the AMOFOI observed the 71st Constitution Day here with the party president Dr Bijayananda Kar in the chair.
Throwing light on the significance of the day, FPI general secretary B Ramchandra CST Voltaire pointed out that the high ideals of the Constitution such as liberty, equality, freedom of thought and expression, equality of status and of opportunity and dignity of the individual must be upheld by all constitutional functionaries and citizens.
He lamented the misuse of constitutional rules in the recent political development in Maharashtra when BJP formed Government without number and that too overnight. Discussing the BJD Government’s demand for a Vidhan Parisad in Odisha, Voltaire said that while the Odisha Legislative Assembly is not being allowed to transect business for more than 60 days in a year, the pressure for a Vidhan Parishad is surely for providing “political shelter” to the “defeated” BJD leaders.
Among others, former MLA and lawyer Sarat Mishra and FPI vice-president HC Kar spoke. Swapna Bijayini gave a vote of thanks.