Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday sent a conciliatory message to Opposition parties by invoking the names of architects of the Constitution and philosophers from across the world to put forth his vision of making one powerful India (Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat).
Replying to a debate in the Rajya Sabha on the Constitution, Modi underlined the “mantra of ekta”, saying there can be “many excuses for disintegration” in a diverse country like India, but ways should be explored to keep the country united.
“I have a plan which I want to share with this august House. Though the roadmap is yet to be underlined, I want to work on the lines of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat with participation of every Indian across the States within the framework,” Modi said.
Contending that “enough fighting” has already taken place even among contiguousregions, he said he has a proposal to put in place the ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ scheme to strengthen the unity of the country.
Elaborating, Modi said that under this scheme one State could celebrate a year-long festival of others. He said that academic institutions can hold competitions and debates through which people of other States can understand and recognise the significance of different States.
After the PM’s speech, the Rajya Sabha unanimously adopted a resolution vowing to protect India’s plurality and its democratic, socialist and secular character after a three-day debate on the Constitution which came against the backdrop of a raging controversy over alleged intolerance. The resolution, read out by Chairman Hamid Ansari, was adopted with thumping of desks by the members after the discussion on the commitment to the Constitution as part of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of BR Ambedkar.
Amid the ‘intolerance’ debate, Modi said any incident of “atrocity” is a “blot” on the society as well as the nation whose “pain” should be felt by all and asserted that unity and harmony is the only way to take the country forward. Modi said no questions can be raised over patriotism of any of the 125 crore Indians and nobody needs to produce a “certificate of patriotism”.
Adopting a conciliatory approach towards the Opposition at a time when some crucial Bills are stuck in the House, the Prime Minister pitched for a bipartisan approach to all issues and decried attempts to introduce partisanship or politics in any matter concerning the nation.
In his 40-minute reply to the debate during which the Government came under attack over ‘intolerance’, Modi said, “If there is any incident of atrocity against anybody, it is a blot on all of us, for the society as well as the nation. We should feel the pain and take this to ensure such things do not happen.”
“Unity and harmony is the tradition of India. We have to continue to explore reasons for strengthening the unity of the country. There will be many excuses for disintegration in a diverse country like India. It is our responsibility to unite people,” the PM said.
Modi reached out to its members saying the Upper House should work by rising above the question of partiality. He called for cooperation between the lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha and invoked Gopalaswami Ayyangar, a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee and leader of the Rajya Sabha, to underline that in case of a dispute, the view of the lower House will prevail. He said even Nehru had advocated harmony between the two Houses.
The PM said the new generation in the country should be prepared to do penance for the “sins of our ancestors” and will have to take the responsibility to ensure social justice. He said the Constitution is not about laws alone, but is a social document, that can be referred to, whenever there is need for guidance and inspiration.
Modi quoted US author Granville Austin who had said, the framing of Indian Constitution was ‘perhaps the greatest political venture since that originated in Philadelphia in 1787’. Modi went on to quote Max Mueller who had once observed that there is one place which can be related to heaven and that is India.
Earlier, a sharp exchange took place when Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad sought to know why there was a delay in awarding Bharat Ratna to not only Ambedkar but also to other leaders like Vallabhbhai Patel, Abul Kalam Azad and Jayaprakash Narayan. Ambedkar was honoured with Bharat Ratna in 1990, Patel in 1991, Azad in 1992 and Narayan in 1999.
Deputy leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said it “saddens us that on his 125th anniversary, Jawaharlal Nehru was not given respect” despite being the architect of modern India. He also claimed that the PM did not mention Nehru’s contribution to India-Africa relations at a recent conference here, despite African leaders heaping praises on him and late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He asked whether it was a tribute or insult.