The Odisha Assembly on Tuesday, amid protests by Opposition members, passed a resolution to recommend to the State Government to move the Union Government to include the ‘uniquely’ Indian ideal of Ahimsa (non-violence) in the Preamble of the Constitution.
Initiating a debate on the resolution, moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh on behalf of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra remarked that the resolution was wrongly drafted and urged for a correction and a broader discussion on a later date.
“I don’t challenge the State Government’s intension behind the move. A recommendation for amendment to the Constitution needs to be broadly discussed. The word “Ahimsa” is a broader word and, thus, needs broader discussion. The resolution shouldn’t be passed without deep thinking,” Mishra said after remarking a mistake in the draft resolution.
Explaining the word, he said debates can be made as to whether ‘sacrifice of animals’ can be meant as ‘Ahimsa’ or not. If it is ‘Ahimsa’, ‘sacrifice of animals’ would fetch various implications.
He suggested that the draft be corrected and translated into Odia and then a date be fixed for a broader discussion before passing of the resolution.
BJD Member Ranendra Pratap Swain also marked the mistake in the draft resolution. However, he supported the Government move for inclusion of ‘Ahimsa’ in the Preamble of the Constitution.
“While the Constitution has given us equality, religion has not given this very right to us. Some political elements are trying to misuse religion and divide the country. The word ‘Ahimsa’ would strengthen the unity of the country further,” said Swain. Pravat Biswal of BJD and Pradeep Purohit of BJP participated in the discussion. In his reply, the Minister urged the House to pass the resolution by deleting a ‘comma’ and ‘of’ and keeping the word ‘nonviolence’ in brackets after ‘Ahmisa’ in the resolution. At this time Opposition and Congress members rushed into the Well of the House and demanded that the resolution be translated into Odia and more discussion be held on the resolution.
However, the resolution was passed amid a voice vote.
Leader of Opposition Mihsra protested the passing of resolution in a hurried way and boycotted the proceedings for the day. Then all Congress and BJP members moved out of the House.