The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Karnataka): A fresh controversy has emerged with Anant Kumar Hegde, a BJP Member of Parliament from Karnataka, advocating for a significant rewrite of the Indian Constitution. Hegde argues that historical amendments by Congress leaders were aimed at undermining Hinduism, calling for revisions to recenter the religion. He underscored the necessity for the BJP to secure over 400 Lok Sabha seats in the forthcoming general elections to facilitate such changes.
Hegde, representing Uttara Kannada, expressed his viewpoint at a public gathering, emphasizing the need for a robust BJP majority not only in the Lok Sabha but also in the Rajya Sabha and state legislatures to remove obstacles in amending the Constitution. His comments have sparked a broad discussion, coinciding with a statewide ‘Constitution awareness programme’ led by the Karnataka government to bolster public understanding of the Indian Constitution.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded to the proposal by highlighting the importance of the Constitution and criticized leaders who underestimate its power, suggesting that such statements are irresponsible. The debate extends beyond state boundaries, with national figures like Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Mamta Banerjee of the TMC voicing concerns over potential changes to the Constitution. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, has dismissed the notion of amending the Constitution as unfounded, assuring that his government has no intention to alter it.
This development has ignited a debate over the direction of constitutional amendments in India, the balance between religious priorities and secular principles enshrined in the Constitution, and the political dynamics at play as the nation approaches general elections.
