NEW DELHI, Dec 14: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday described the Constitution of India as not only the longest but also the most remarkable and beautiful in the world. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, Rijiju expressed his admiration for the foundational document of India’s democracy.
“I come from a region where I saw airplanes before I saw cars, as roads for vehicles were built only after I became an MP. When Prime Minister Modi gave me the opportunity to sit in the place where Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar once sat, it was a moment of great honor,” Rijiju said. He reflected on his journey and how, before assuming the role of Law Minister, he sought to understand what Babasaheb Ambedkar envisioned and the aspirations he could not fulfill.
Rijiju further emphasized, “Our Constitution is not only the largest in the world but also the most beautiful,” acknowledging the legacy of the document crafted by Ambedkar and others.
The Minister also took the opportunity to address the misinterpretation of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s thoughts after his death. He clarified that while Ambedkar renounced Hinduism due to the caste-based practices in society, he was never antagonistic towards the religion itself. “Babasaheb Ambedkar never spoke against any religion. He fought against practices like untouchability in Hindu society. He took Diksha and embraced Buddhism because he wanted to follow a religion free of caste hierarchy,” Rijiju explained.
Rijiju further noted that Ambedkar’s writings and thoughts were often misrepresented after his death. He said, “Unfortunately, his writings and thoughts were later misrepresented. It was wrongly interpreted that Ambedkar renounced Hinduism to encourage opposition to it. That is not true. He sought a religion that upheld equality but was never hostile towards Hinduism.”
The Lok Sabha began a two-day debate on the Constitution on December 13 to commemorate the 75th year of its adoption. On Friday, the session featured impassioned speeches by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
The ongoing winter session of Parliament, which began on November 25, has seen frequent disruptions, leading to early adjournments. The session is scheduled to continue until December 20.
