Amit Shah takes sharp dig at Rahul Gandhi during debate on constitution in Rajya Sabha

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a debate in the Rajya Sabha on the Constitution, took a sharp dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, referring to him as a "yuva" (youth) leader despite being 54 years old. Amit Shah’s remarks were in response to allegations from the Opposition about the BJP’s stance on constitutional amendments.

Taking a veiled swipe at Rahul Gandhi, Shah stated, “Now, there are some leaders, who at 54, call themselves 'yuva' leaders. And they keep going about (BJP will) 'change Constitution'. I want to explain to them that the provision to change the Constitution has been mentioned under Article 368 of the Constitution itself.”

Rahul Gandhi, the Congress MP from Rae Bareli, has been prominently showcasing a copy of the Constitution at various rallies and events since before the Lok Sabha elections. A controversy had also broken out over the Red Constitution copy that Rahul Gandhi was seen holding up at various events, with the BJP claiming that it was a “blank copy”.

Amit Shah on Tuesday emphasised the dynamic nature of the Constitution and countered the Opposition’s charges against the BJP



over proposed changes to the Constitution.

“Our Constitution has not assumed itself unchangeable anywhere. With time, a nation should change, as should society, and as should its laws,” Shah said.

He pointed out that the provision for amendments was enshrined in Article 368 of the Constitution itself, allowing for necessary changes to adapt to evolving times.

Amit Shah went into details about the history of constitutional amendments, underscoring that both Congress and BJP-led governments had utilised this provision.

“The Opposition says we will change the Constitution. A provision to change the Constitution is already there in our Constitution. The Congress, during its 55 years of rule, made 77 amendments to our Constitution, while the BJP, in 16 years, did so only 22 times,” Shah asserted.

Quoting Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, Shah remarked, “However good a Constitution may be, if those who are implementing it are not good, it will prove to be bad. However bad a Constitution may be, if those implementing it are good, it will prove to be good.”