Rahul asks people to defend Constitution

NEW DELHI: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday urged the people to renew their pledge to defend and protect the Constitution and the values -- justice, liberty, equality and Fraternity — enshrined in it. In an open letter addressed to the people on the Republic Day eve, Gandhi said all must remember the Constitution and the commitment it made to citizens.

“More than ever before in the history of our young nation, we must defend the treasured commitments we made to all our citizens: Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity,” Gandhi said, citing the Preamble.

India celebrates the Republic Day to honour the day the Constitution came into force in 1950.

Seeking justice for all in his message released on social media, Gandhi said, “Together we must strive to ensure that the constitutional right of justice is sacrosanct and India’s laws protect the underprivileged, the voiceless and the poorest of the poor.” India’s strength was its diversity, said Gandhi, who has often accused the ruling BJP of stifling dissent and pursuing a divisive agenda.

“We are citizens of a democratic republic and our strength

Together we must strive to ensure that the constitutional right of justice is sacrosanct and India’s laws protect the underprivileged...

RAHUL GANDHI, Cong president

is built upon a diversity of religion, cultures, ideas and opinions,” he said.

He also talked by about liberty to express freely, “without fear of verbal or physical intimidation and violence”. There should be equality of opportunity and each citizen be treated equal not just in the letter of the law but in actions as well. “Fraternity between each Indian as equal individuals. No matter our background, we are proud to share a common bond: our belonging to this beautiful nation.”