Dynastic parties a matter of concern to people dedicated to democracy: PM on Constitution Day
New Delhi, Nov 26 (FN Agency) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack at “dynastic parties”, and questioned how parties that have lost democratic character can be expected to protect democracy. At an event in the Central Hall of Parliament, which was boycotted by Opposition parties, the Prime Minister also said that the country would not accept those who question the need to celebrate Constitution day, which has the name of BR Ambedkar attached to it. In an apparent attack at parties that boycotted the Constitution Day function, the Prime Minister said there were protests also when he announced observing Constitution Day in 2015. “When I was talking about it in 2015, protests happened on that day as well. What is the need for celebrating Constitution Day… If you have that kind of sentiment when we are talking about Babasaheb Ambedkar, the nation is not ready to listen to it,” Modi said.
The PM said in the form of family-based parties, India is heading towards a kind of a crisis, which is a matter of concern for the people devoted to the Constitution. He lamented that the spirit of the Constitution has also been hurt, every section of the Constitution has also been hurt, when political parties lose their democratic character themselves. “How can the parties which have lost their democratic character protect democracy ?,” he questioned. “India is a democratic tradition, political parties are important. They take the spirit of the Constitution to the people. The spirit of the Constitution is hurt, every article of the Constitution is hurt, when political parties lose their democratic character,” he said. “ From Kashmir to Kanya Kumari, there is a problem which is a matter of concern to those who have faith in democracy. That is dynastic parties…” he said. “More than one person from a family joining the party on the basis of merit does not make the party dynastic. Problems arise when a party is run by the same family, generation after generation.” The PM also warned against the tendency of forgetting and glorifying convicted corrupt people. He said while giving an opportunity to reform we should refrain from glorifying such people in public life.
The Prime Minister said Mahatma Gandhi had tried to prepare the nation for the duties, even while fighting for the rights in the freedom movement. “It would have been better if the duty had been emphasized after the country’s independence. In the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, it is necessary for us to move forward on the path of duty so that our rights are protected”, he added. PM Modi paid tributes to B R Ambedkar, Dr Rajendra Prasad, and Mahatma Gandhi. Speaking on the day which also marks the Mumbai Terror Attack, he also paid tribute to security personnel and other who died in the terror attack. “Today, 26/11 is such a sad day for us, when the enemies of the country came inside the country and carried out the terrorist attack in Mumbai. The brave soldiers of the country sacrificed their lives while fighting the terrorists. Today I bow to their sacrifices”, the Prime Minister said. Constitution Day is celebrated on November 26 to mark the day the Constituent Assembly had adopted the Constitution of India in 1949. The Constitution came into effect from January 26, 1950.