Amit Shah Targets Congress over Constitution Amendments in RS

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. Amit Shah, during the Rajya Sabha debate, compared Congress and BJP’s constitutional amendments.
2. He stated that Congress made 77 amendments in 55 years, while BJP made 22 amendments in 16 years.
3. Shah accused Congress of exploiting the Constitution for political gains.
4. BJP’s amendments, including GST, EWS reservation, and NCBC, were cited as people-oriented reforms.
5. Shah emphasized BJP’s commitment to empower citizens and strengthen governance.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Amit Shah’s Criticism of Congress

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Congress during the Constitution debate in the Rajya Sabha. Shah compared the amendments made during Congress’s long rule with those under BJP-led governments.

“Congress brought 77 amendments in 55 years, whereas BJP did only 22 amendments in 16 years,” Amit Shah stated. He claimed that the session exposed which party respects the values of the Constitution and which sees it as a tool for political gains.

Amendments Under Congress Rule

Shah targeted key amendments made during Congress’s tenure, such as:

1. 1st Amendment (1951): Enacted under Jawaharlal Nehru, it curtailed freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a).
2. 24th Amendment (1971): Indira Gandhi’s government empowered Parliament to alter fundamental rights.
3. 39th Amendment (1975): Passed during the Emergency, it exempted elections of the PM and President from judicial review.

BJP’s Constitution-Friendly Amendments

In contrast, Shah highlighted BJP’s amendments aimed at social justice and administrative reforms:

1. 101st Amendment (2018): Introduced the revolutionary GST, unifying India’s tax structure.
2. 102nd Amendment (2018): Granted constitutional status to the NCBC, benefiting backward communities.
3. 103rd Amendment (2019): Provided 10% EWS reservation for economically weaker sections in education and jobs.
4. 105th Amendment (2021): Restored state governments’ power to identify SEBCs, promoting federalism.

Constitution: Political Tool or Public Resource?

Amit Shah accused Congress of misusing constitutional provisions for its political dominance, while positioning BJP as a protector of constitutional values. This debate underscores how amendments have been used in India: either as a political tool or as a medium to empower citizens.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• Amit Shah compared Congress’s 77 amendments with BJP’s 22 amendments.
• Congress faced criticism for political misuse of the Constitution.
• BJP highlighted reforms like GST, EWS reservation, and empowering state governments.

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