Emergency Biggest, Darkest Chapter of Direct Attack on Constitution: President Murmu
Poll result showed stamp of approval of Modi govt’s good governance for last 10 years
NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday called the imposition of the Emergency in 1975 the biggest and darkest chapter of direct attack on the Constitution. In her first address to a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament in the 18th Lok Sabha, Ms Murmu stressed the government's unwavering faith in the Constitution and efforts to make it a part of "public consciousness".
The President said that the general election result was a stamp of approval for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's mission of service and good governance undertaken in the past 10 years.
Referring to the cancellation and deferment of some competitive exams due to suspicion of paper leaks, Murmu said her government is committed to a fair probe and ensuring punishment for the culprits. She said, “My government is working towards major reforms in examination-related bodies. This process requires complete transparency and probity.”
In her nearly hour-long address, the President highlighted the government’s measures in a range of sectors, from economy, defence and farming to the empowerment of different sections of society and laid down its priorities in its third term, amid sporadic protests from the Opposition benches when she referred to issues such as paper leaks and matters related to the Northeast region.
On the issue of the Emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi Murmu said, “The imposition of the Emergency was the biggest and darkest chapter of direct attack on the Constitution. The entire country felt outraged. But the country emerged victorious over such unconstitutional forces as the traditions of the republic lie at the core of India.”
“My government also does not consider the Constitution of India as just a medium of governance; rather, we are making efforts to ensure that our Constitution becomes a part of public consciousness. With this objective in mind, my government has started celebrating November 26 as Constitution Day. Now the Constitution has also fully come into force in that part of India, our Jammu and Kashmir, where the conditions were different due to Article 370,” the President said.
Assuring that the government is fully committed to a fair investigation into the recent incidents of paper leaks and ensuring that the guilty are punished, the President said, “Whether it is competitive examinations or government recruitment, there should be no reason for any hindrance. This process requires complete transparency and probity. Regarding the recent instances of paper leaks in some examinations, my government is committed to a fair investigation and ensuring strict punishment for the culprits.”
“Even earlier, we have witnessed many instances of paper leaks in different states. It is important that we rise above party politics and undertake concrete measures nationwide,” she said.
As the President mentioned steps taken by the government on the education front, some Opposition members were heard shouting “NEET”, the medical entrance exam whose question paper was allegedly leaked.
Referring to the just concluded Lok Sabha poll results, Murmu said, “People have elected a stable government with a clear majority, consecutively for the third term. This has happened after six decades. At a time when the aspirations of the people of India are at their highest ever, people have reposed faith in my government for the third consecutive term. The people of India have full faith that only my government can fulfil their aspirations.”
“This election of 2024 has been an election of trust in policy, intention, dedication and decisions in India's resolve to be Viksit Bharat. It is a stamp of approval for my government’s mission of service and good governance undertaken in the past 10 years. It is a mandate that the work of making India a developed nation continue uninterrupted and India attains its goals,” she said.
In an apparent message to the Opposition parties, who are numerically much stronger than the previous two Lok Sabhas, Murmu pitched for healthy deliberations, saying opposition to policies and obstruction of parliamentary functioning are two different things.
Lauding the election commission for the successful conduct of the polls, Ms Murmu cautioned against attempts to undermine the credibility of India's democracy and electoral process.
“The EVMs have passed every test, from the Supreme Court to the people's court, in the last few decades,” she said.
The President also said that the government is working to make the Northeast a strategic gateway under its ‘Act East Policy’ and has increased the allocation for the region’s development by more than four times over the last 10 years.
Murmu noted that connectivity of all kinds is being expanded in the Northeast and development works are being taken up in every field, including education, health, tourism and employment.
“My government is continuously working for lasting peace in the Northeast. In the last 10 years, many old disputes have been resolved and many important agreements have been reached. The work of withdrawing AFSPA from the disturbed areas of the Northeast is also underway in a phased manner by accelerating development in those areas. These new initiatives in every aspect of development in the country are heralding the future of India,” Murmu said.
As the President talked about the Northeast, some Opposition members were heard shouting “Manipur”.
Murmu noted that the upcoming Budget, expected to be presented in the
last week of July, will be an effective document of the government's far-reaching policies and futuristic vision.
She mentioned that along with major economic and social decisions, many historic steps will also be seen in this Budget and the pace of reforms will be accelerated in tune with the aspirations of the people of India for rapid development.
The President said adversarial mindset and narrow selfishness have greatly undermined the basic spirit of democracy, affecting the parliamentary system and the country's development journey.