NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, speaking at a rally in Maharashtra on Thursday, said that Narendra Modi feels the Constituion has blank pages because the Prime Minister has never read the book. Gandhi has been carrying a copy of the Constitution during his campaign rallies and claims the BJP objects to its red color.
“Modi ji feels the Constitution (book) is blank because he has never read it,” the Lok Sabha leader of opposition said. He emphasised that the Constitution embodies the spirit of India and the principles championed by figures like Birsa Munda, Dr. BR Ambedkar, and Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi’s comments come after PM Modi had attacked him saying the laal kitab (red book) of the Constitution which Congress was flaunting contained ‘nothing’. “In farziwada (scams), Congress has broken its own record. The laal kitab of the Constitution which the Congress party was flaunting and distributing contained ‘nothing’. It was an empty book. This is nothing but a testament to Congress’ disregard and hate for Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The entire country is in shock over this foolish and unfortunate political play of Congress,” PM Modi had said at a rally in Nanded.
Congress has broken its own record in FARZIWADA! | PM Modi
Reacting to the remarks, the Lok Sabha leader of opposition Gandhi said in a public gathering in poll-bound Nandurbar, “Sanvidhan unke liye khali hai kyuki unhone ise zindagi mein pada nahi hai (The Constitution seems empty to him because he’s never read it in his life).
The Congress leader said that the Constitution is not blank, but carries thoughts and ideas of thousand years. “He has no idea what’s written inside this book; that’s why he says it’s empty. He says Rahul Gandhi shows a red book. It doesn’t matter to us what colour the book is; what matters is what’s written inside it. We are ready to give our lives for what it represents,” Gandhi said.
“I want to explain to the Prime Minister that this Constitution is not hollow. It is filled with thousands of years of thought. When you call it hollow, you disrespect Birsa Munda, Mahatma Gandhi, Ambedkar, and others. This fight is about protecting it,” he added.
Gandhi accused the BJP of insulting these national icons by linking the ‘red book’ to ‘urban Naxalism’ during their own campaign for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls.
He also criticised the BJP and RSS for using the term ‘vanvasi’ instead of ‘adivasi’ when referring to tribal communities.
Gandhi went on to highlight points from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) manifesto, promising support for women, farmers, and youth. He reiterated the demand for a caste census to determine the representation of adivasis, Dalits, and backward classes in Maharashtra. Gandhi also accused the current government of shifting projects out of Maharashtra, costing the state jobs.
