During a discussion on the 75th anniversary of India's Constitution, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, questioned the ruling BJP's loyalty to the founding document. He referenced the writings of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, claiming that Savarkar believed the Constitution had no Indian elements and preferred the Manusmriti as the law of the land. He also accused the BJP of betraying the values of the Constitution and highlighted their alleged mistreatment of protesting farmers and the family of a gangrape victim in Hathras.
Background
Dronacharya is a revered figure in Indian mythology, known as the guru who trained the Pandava brothers in combat. In recent years, the term has been used in a legal and political context to describe the struggle over the interpretation and implementation of India's Constitution.
Rahul Gandhi's Allegations and BJP's Response
In 2023, during a discussion on the 75th anniversary of India's Constitution, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, raised concerns about the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) commitment to the founding document. He cited the writings of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who advocated for the Manusmriti as the law of the land over the Constitution.
The BJP vehemently denied these allegations, accusing Gandhi of distorting facts and spreading misinformation. They maintained that the party was fully committed to the Constitution and its values.
Legal Challenges
The Dronacharya debate has also manifested in a series of legal challenges. In 2022, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking a declaration that the Manusmriti was inconsistent with the Constitution and should not be relied upon by courts or government authorities. The court is yet to rule on the petition.
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