Modi calls for cooperation
Even Nehru spoke of harmony between the Houses, says PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday termed incidents of “atrocity” as “a blot” on the nation and said no questions can be raised over the patriotism of 125 crore Indians in remarks that came amid a raging debate over intolerance in the country.
In a broad-brush speech covering a range of issues, Modi also struck a conciliatory note in the Rajya Sabha by acknowledging the role of Congress leaders in drafting the Constitution and quoted India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru while calling for “harmony” between the two Houses.
His pitch for unity and an end to “atrocities” came against the backdrop of a Muslim man being killed in Uttar Pradesh over cow slaughter rumours, two Dalit children being burnt alive in Haryana and actor Aamir Khan facing flak for comments on intolerance.
Incidentally, the Lok Sabha was witnessing a discussion on intolerance when Modi was replying to the debate on “Commitment to Constitution” in the Rajya Sabha.
“Nobody can raise questions over the patriotism of 125 crore citizens of the country,” he said.
“Nobody needs to produce a certificate of patriotism again and again.”
The PM’s comments came a day after a group of people were told to leave a cinema hall in Mumbai for failing to stand up for the national anthem, an incident that stoked the heated debate over intolerance.
“If there is any incident of atrocity against anybody, it is a blot on all of us, for society as well as the nation,” said Modi. “We should feel the pain and use it to ensure such things don’t happen.”
People must rise above issues of religion and sects, Modi said. “The mantra of unity should be in focus... There are many excuses to be divided, but we must look for opportunities to be united.”
Modi peppered his 40-minute reply with quotes of philosophers, statesmen and leaders including former president S Radhakrishnan, Max Mueller, Edmund Burke and US author Granville Austin. Calling for cooperation between the two Houses, Modi invoked Gopalaswami Ayyangar, a member of the Constitution drafting committee and leader of Rajya Sabha, to highlight that in case of a dispute the view of the lower House will prevail.
Quoting Ayyangar, he said “the other House (Rajya Sabha) should not be an obstruction in the way of framing laws. There cannot be any bigger guide for this House (Rajya Sabha).”
With several key legislation like the GST bill stuck in Rajya Sabha where the NDA is in a minority, the PM said the upper House should work by rising above the question of partiality. “I give more importance to Rajya Sabha, the House of Elders,” he said. “There cannot be any discussion where there are no Elders and Rajya Sabha has its own unique role.”