In a show of protest against the ruling coalition government, members of the opposition held up copies of the Constitution of India during the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers in the 18th Lok Sabha. The NDA holds a majority with 293 seats, while the BJP has 240 seats, just shy of the 272 majority mark. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of attacking the Constitution, while MPs showcased India's linguistic diversity by taking their oaths in various languages. The Parliament session has been adjourned for the day and will reconvene tomorrow.
Opposition Members Protest Constitution During Modi's Oath-Taking Ceremony
In a symbolic gesture of protest, members of the opposition held up copies of the Indian Constitution during the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers in the 18th Lok Sabha on May 30, 2019.
Background:
The opposition parties have accused the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of undermining the Constitution and democratic institutions. They have pointed to incidents such as the alleged suppression of dissent, the curtailment of civil liberties, and the erosion of constitutional autonomy.
Details of the Protest:
During the oath-taking ceremony, several opposition MPs from the Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Trinamool Congress (TMC), and other parties stood up and displayed copies of the Constitution. They remained silent throughout the ceremony.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of "attacking the Constitution every day." He said that the opposition's gesture was a reminder of the government's duty to uphold the rule of law.
MPs' Linguistic Diversity:
In addition to the protest, MPs also showcased India's linguistic diversity by taking their oaths in various languages. This included Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.
Current Status:
The Parliament session was adjourned for the day following the oath-taking ceremony and will reconvene on May 31. The opposition has indicated that it will continue to protest the government's alleged anti-democratic actions.
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