Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led the opposition’s fightback – to a mixed soundtrack of cheers and jeers – Friday on Day 1 of the Lok Sabha’s big debate, red-flagging a range of issues from the 2017 Unnao rape case and last month’s communal violence in Sambhal, to sharp attacks on the BJP’s ‘plan’ to re-write the Constitution and the use of federal agencies to “censor” rival political leaders.
The Congress MP delivered her maiden speech – a sharp response to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s opening remarks – by referring to the Unnao rape and the Sambhal violence.
“A few days ago, some people from the bereaved families of Sambhal came to meet us… there were two children among them – Adnan and Uzair. One was my son’s age (Raihan Vadra is 24) and the other was around 17. Their father was a tailor who had one dream… to see his sons educated.”
“The police shot their father dead… Adnan told me he would grow up to be a doctor and realise his father’s dream… a dream instilled in him by the Constitution of India,” Ms Gandhi Vadra began.
“Our Constitution is our ‘suraksha kavach‘ (armour providing safety) … it keeps citizens safe. But it is sad that in 10 years colleagues from the ruling side (referring to the BJP), who make tall claims, have made attempts to break down this ‘kavach’,” she said in a slow and deliberate speech.
“Work to break this ‘kavach‘ has already begun,” Ms Gandhi Vadra warned the Lower House, echoing warnings by Congress leaders, led by her brother Rahul Gandhi, and other opposition MPs- that the BJP, emboldened by a third consecutive term, will alter the Constitution at a basic level.
