Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday accused the Congress party of amending the Constitution to protect its dynastic interests and criticized its economic and social policies during a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the 'Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India'.

Highlighting the 42nd Constitutional Amendment and the Shah Bano case, Sitharaman said Congress’s amendments lacked economic good, social intent, due process, and constitutional spirit. “The amendments weren’t to strengthen democracy but to protect those in power and the family,” she asserted.

The Finance Minister accused Congress of curbing free speech, citing instances like the imprisonment of lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri and actor Balraj Sahni in 1949, and the banning of the film Kissa Kursi Ka for questioning Indira Gandhi’s regime.

Sitharaman also criticized Congress for failing to pass the Women's Reservation Bill, calling the party “anti-women.” She pointed out that the Rajya Sabha passed the bill in 2008, but Congress did not bring it to the Lok Sabha due to opposition from alliance partners. Referring to the Shah Bano case, she said Congress denied Muslim women alimony rights by passing the Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Divorce Act, 1986.

She contrasted this with the BJP’s commitment to women’s empowerment, citing the recent enactment of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which reserves seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies. “I myself am a beneficiary of this,” she added.

Sitharaman praised the Constitution for its resilience, noting it has stood firm even as over 50 nations that gained independence post-World War II completely rewrote their constitutions. She urged reaffirming commitment to the Constitution’s spirit while celebrating its legacy, saying, “Today, we are proud of the way India’s democracy is growing.”

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday accused the Congress party of amending the Constitution to protect its dynastic interests and criticized its economic and social policies during a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the 'Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India'.

Highlighting the 42nd Constitutional Amendment and the Shah Bano case, Sitharaman said Congress’s amendments lacked economic good, social intent, due process, and constitutional spirit. “The amendments weren’t to strengthen democracy but to protect those in power and the family,” she asserted.

The Finance Minister accused Congress of curbing free speech, citing instances like the imprisonment of lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri and actor Balraj Sahni in 1949, and the banning of the film Kissa Kursi Ka for questioning Indira Gandhi’s regime.

Sitharaman also criticized Congress for failing to pass the Women's Reservation Bill, calling the party “anti-women.” She pointed out that the Rajya Sabha passed the bill in 2008, but Congress did not bring it to the Lok Sabha due to opposition from alliance partners. Referring to the Shah Bano case, she said Congress denied Muslim women alimony rights by passing the Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Divorce Act, 1986.

She contrasted this with the BJP’s commitment to women’s empowerment, citing the recent enactment of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which reserves seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies. “I myself am a beneficiary of this,” she added.

Sitharaman praised the Constitution for its resilience, noting it has stood firm even as over 50 nations that gained independence post-World War II completely rewrote their constitutions. She urged reaffirming commitment to the Constitution’s spirit while celebrating its legacy, saying, “Today, we are proud of the way India’s democracy is growing.”