Jaipur: MLAs of Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party locked horns at the Rajasthan assembly on Thursday, over a minister’s comment on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideologue M.S. Golwalkar’s book Bunch of Thoughts, during a special session marking the 70th year of the Constitution.
Rajasthan’s parliamentary affairs minister Shanti Dhariwal had criticised Golwalkar for listing Muslims, Christians and communists as “threats” in his book.
While addressing the assembly, Dhariwal said there was a need to “identify” those who have tried to make the Constitution of the country “fail”. “This needs to be done so as to improve things in the future,” he said.
Without naming any party or individual, he took on the BJP. “Those who were against the bandh call given after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and those who have worked to fail the Constitution should be identified.”
“If we do not deliberate on this, the debate on the Constitution would not be successful. Those who act on the lines of a certain ideology in a hidden manner will not be forgiven by the people,” he added.
During a discussion on the Special Protection Group (SPG) Bill on Wednesday in the parliament, Bhopal MP and terror accused Pragya Thakur had called Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse, a “patriot”.
Referring to her remark, deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot said every nationalist should condemn the comment.
“Nationalism is not about talking on the lines of religion and raising slogans only. Raising your voice against injustice and atrocities is nationalism. The certificate of nationalism is not issued at the office of a political party,” said Pilot.
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Dhariwal also raised objections to Modi being referred to as the ‘father of India.’ “It is unfortunate that the prime minister was silent when the US president called him the father of India in a meeting in the US sometime back,” he said.
He also claimed that public institutions were being weakened by the ruling Modi government, which had also diluted the Right to Information Act and also curtailed the freedom of media.
BJP MLAs were vocal in denouncing his comments and created an uproar in the House.
Assembly Speaker C.P. Joshi intervened, saying the debate should be constructive and focused on challenges of futures which should be addressed.
He said there was nothing wrong if the minister has referred to a book in the House, and also asked Dhariwal to rather focus on the challenges of the future.
(With inputs from PTI)