New Delhi : Congress General Secretary and Member of Parliament from Wayanad, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, today delivered her maiden speech in the Lok Sabha amidst cheers from party members.
She started her speech by paying tributes to the December 13 Parliament attack martyrs.
In her 30-minute-long, highly impressive, and forceful speech, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra blasted the Bharatiya Janata Party government for its repeated attempts to breach the “protective shield” of the Constitution by trying to undermine it.
She asserted that the foundations of this country have been laid with love, harmony, and hope, and this country cannot be run with fear.
Maintaining that our country has a tradition of dialogue, debate, and discussion for thousands of years, Priyanka said this tradition is seen in every religion, philosophical texts, the Vedas, and the Upanishads. “Debate has been a part of our culture,” she remarked, while pointing out how today’s government was scared of debate and running away from it.
She said that from this tradition came our freedom struggle, which was based on non-violence and truth, and it was a very democratic fight. “All the farmers, labourers, and intellectuals of the country were involved in this movement. Everyone fought for freedom together,” she observed.
In a jibe at the treasury benches, she, while pointing towards the opposition, said that those who believed in hope and courage fought against the British, while those (pointing towards the treasury benches) who were scared cooperated with the British.
Referring to the strength of the Constitution, she said it was not only a protective shield but also an instrument of hope and courage for people across the country.
“Our Constitution is the flame of justice, hope, expression, and aspiration, which is burning in the heart of every Indian,” Priyanka said, adding, “This flame has empowered every Indian with the right to get justice and the ability to raise their voice for their rights.”
Quoting a few examples where people had fought against all adversities just because they believed in the strength of the Constitution, she referred to the Unnao rape victim, who struggled against all odds for justice and, in the process, was burnt alive to death. She disclosed how her father was firm in seeking justice for his daughter just because he had faith in the Constitution.
Pointing out how, in the old days, kings used to disguise themselves as common men to listen to people’s criticism, she said, in an apparent jibe at the Prime Minister without taking his name, “Today’s king is also very fond of disguise, but he neither has the courage to go in public nor to listen to criticism.”
Reaffirming and reiterating her party’s stand on the caste census, she took a dig at the Prime Minister, saying, “When the entire opposition was talking about the caste census during the elections, then Narendra Modi was saying, ‘They will steal your buffalo, they will steal your mangalsutra.’”
She alleged that the BJP government was trying to weaken reservations through lateral entry and by privatising public sector units. She said that had the BJP secured a majority on its own, it would have started changing the Constitution.
Referring to the first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s contribution in building this country and the unjustified criticism of him by the BJP, Ms. Vadra asserted, “His name can be removed from books and speeches, but his legacy and contribution in building the country can never be wiped out.”
She told the treasury benches that they were fond of talking about the past and what Pandit Nehru did or did not do. “Talk about the present. Tell the nation, what are you doing? What is your responsibility? Is everything the responsibility of Nehru?” she taunted them.
The Congress General Secretary said that the entire nation was watching how the interests of 140 crore people were being compromised to protect the business interests of one single person, who has been given ports, airports, mines, railways, PSUs, and everything.
Alleging that the government had unleashed an atmosphere of fear, Priyanka pointed out how criticism was not tolerated and how people were slapped with false cases and agencies like the ED, the CBI, and Income Tax were unleashed on political opponents, journalists, students, and others.
Asserting that this country cannot be run by fear, she said it can be run only with courage and hope. “This country has never stayed with cowards for long, and this country will rise, fight, and seek justice,” she said, while concluding her speech amidst thumping of desks from opposition benches.
