Parliament Winter Session Day 16 LIVE | 'Constitutional Amendments For Family Benefit', Sitharaman Slams Cong; LoP Kharge Says 'Those Who Hate Constitution Are Lecturing Us'

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking in Rajya Sabha, paid tribute to soldiers killed in the 1971 India-Bangladesh War and honoured Indira Gandhi's role in liberating Bangladesh. On Bangladesh Liberation Day, Kharge urged BJP leaders to draw inspiration from Indira Gandhi, calling her the 'Iron Lady' and suggesting they could learn from her efforts to protect minorities in the region.

Nirmala Sitharaman demanded a written apology from Congress MP Jairam Ramesh after he accused her of lying, a claim she strongly denied. 'I never lie', she asserted, adding, "Accusing others of lying seems ingrained in Congress DNA." Speaking in Rajya Sabha, she criticised Congress for opposing certain GST provisions in Maharashtra and failing to introduce the GST amendment during their tenure.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accused Congress of misusing constitutional amendments to protect power, not strengthen democracy. She said, "The amendments were not about strengthening democracy but about protecting those in power." Her comments on Congress consolidating familial power and jailing the opposition sparked a heated uproar, with opposition members strongly protesting her statements in the Upper House.

BJP Chief JP Nadda intervened in the Rajya Sabha debate to counter Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. Nadda stated, "In 1976, Indira Gandhi attempted to crush democracy while in power." He highlighted the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act introduced by the Janata Party government under Morarji Desai, which reversed authoritarian measures imposed during Gandhi's tenure.

Nirmala Sitharaman criticised Congress in the Rajya Sabha for introducing the first Constitutional amendment to curb freedom of speech. She explained that in 1950, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Communist magazine Cross Roads and the RSS magazine Organiser. In response, the Congress-led interim government introduced the amendment to restrict free expression. She also said that 21 MPs belonging to all opposition parties were jailed.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during the Rajya Sabha speech, highlighted how poet Majrooh Sultanouri and actor Balraj Sahni were jailed for anti-Nehru remarks, accusing Congress of curbing free speech through Constitutional amendments.

Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the Constitution's resilience, noting that while over 50 countries rewrote their Constitutions post- World War II. India has endured, adapting through amendments without losing its core spirit.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman initiated a debate on the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha, outlining four key criteria for evaluating constitutional amendments:

Social Impact: Assessing whether the amendment's intent and outcome genuinely benefit society.

Economic Benefits: Ensuring economic intent aligns with societal welfare

Legislative Process: Evaluating the process followed in enacting the amendment.

Constitutional Spirit: Checking alignment with the Constitution's principles.

Nirmala Sitharaman initiated the Rajya Sabha debate on the Constitution by honouring the members of the Constituent Assembly, particularly it 15 women members. She lauded the Constitution's journey since 1949, emphasising its role in shaping India's democratic success. Highlighting the nation's progress, she stated, "Extremely proud of the way India's democracy is growing." The discussion marks 75 years since the Constitution's adoption and reflects on its evolution and significance."

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman begins a discussion in Rajya Sabha marking 75 years since the adoption of the Indian Constitution on November 26, 1949.

Newly elected members have begun taking their oath in the Rajya Sabha, marking the commencement of their tenure in the Upper House of Parliament.

BSP Chief Mayawati criticised Congress and SP for opposing SC/ST promotion quotas and backed the centre's 'One Nation One Election' bills, calling them cost-effective. She also demanded reservations for SC, ST, and OBC be included in the Ninth Schedule.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has raised a suspension of business notice, urging a discussion on Delhi's rising crime and worsening law and order, calling it a threat to citizens and public representatives.

Congress MP raised an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to discuss the detention of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities. In 2024, 350 fishermen and 49 boats have been apprehended, marking the highest in six years.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will initiate a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the significance and evolution of the Constitution, marking its adoption on November 26, 1949.

The government has postponed introducing the 'One Nation One Election' bills in the Lok Sabha until after financial business is addressed. Originally scheduled for Monday, the bills- the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill are now expected to be introduced later this week, following the passage of supplementary demands for grants.

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien stated that his party wants a smooth debate of the Constitution's 75th anniversary, provided the BJP does not disrupt the proceedings. He blamed the ruling party for recent disruptions in the Upper House, which led to multiple adjournments and clashes.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore has raised a notice in the Lok Sabha to discuss the removal of an iconic 1971 war photograph from the Army headquarters. The photograph depicting the surrender during the Bangladesh war has been replaced with a new painting titles 'Karam Kshetra' (Field of Deeds), showcasing Pangong Lake and India's military strength along the India-China border.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking in Rajya Sabha, paid tribute to soldiers killed in the 1971 India-Bangladesh War and honoured Indira Gandhi's role in liberating Bangladesh. On Bangladesh Liberation Day, Kharge urged BJP leaders to draw inspiration from Indira Gandhi, calling her the 'Iron Lady' and suggesting they could learn from her efforts to protect minorities in the region.

Nirmala Sitharaman demanded a written apology from Congress MP Jairam Ramesh after he accused her of lying, a claim she strongly denied. 'I never lie', she asserted, adding, "Accusing others of lying seems ingrained in Congress DNA." Speaking in Rajya Sabha, she criticised Congress for opposing certain GST provisions in Maharashtra and failing to introduce the GST amendment during their tenure.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accused Congress of misusing constitutional amendments to protect power, not strengthen democracy. She said, "The amendments were not about strengthening democracy but about protecting those in power." Her comments on Congress consolidating familial power and jailing the opposition sparked a heated uproar, with opposition members strongly protesting her statements in the Upper House.

BJP Chief JP Nadda intervened in the Rajya Sabha debate to counter Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. Nadda stated, "In 1976, Indira Gandhi attempted to crush democracy while in power." He highlighted the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act introduced by the Janata Party government under Morarji Desai, which reversed authoritarian measures imposed during Gandhi's tenure.

Nirmala Sitharaman criticised Congress in the Rajya Sabha for introducing the first Constitutional amendment to curb freedom of speech. She explained that in 1950, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Communist magazine Cross Roads and the RSS magazine Organiser. In response, the Congress-led interim government introduced the amendment to restrict free expression. She also said that 21 MPs belonging to all opposition parties were jailed.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during the Rajya Sabha speech, highlighted how poet Majrooh Sultanouri and actor Balraj Sahni were jailed for anti-Nehru remarks, accusing Congress of curbing free speech through Constitutional amendments.

Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the Constitution's resilience, noting that while over 50 countries rewrote their Constitutions post- World War II. India has endured, adapting through amendments without losing its core spirit.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman initiated a debate on the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha, outlining four key criteria for evaluating constitutional amendments:

Social Impact: Assessing whether the amendment's intent and outcome genuinely benefit society.

Economic Benefits: Ensuring economic intent aligns with societal welfare

Legislative Process: Evaluating the process followed in enacting the amendment.

Constitutional Spirit: Checking alignment with the Constitution's principles.

Nirmala Sitharaman initiated the Rajya Sabha debate on the Constitution by honouring the members of the Constituent Assembly, particularly it 15 women members. She lauded the Constitution's journey since 1949, emphasising its role in shaping India's democratic success. Highlighting the nation's progress, she stated, "Extremely proud of the way India's democracy is growing." The discussion marks 75 years since the Constitution's adoption and reflects on its evolution and significance."

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman begins a discussion in Rajya Sabha marking 75 years since the adoption of the Indian Constitution on November 26, 1949.

Newly elected members have begun taking their oath in the Rajya Sabha, marking the commencement of their tenure in the Upper House of Parliament.

BSP Chief Mayawati criticised Congress and SP for opposing SC/ST promotion quotas and backed the centre's 'One Nation One Election' bills, calling them cost-effective. She also demanded reservations for SC, ST, and OBC be included in the Ninth Schedule.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has raised a suspension of business notice, urging a discussion on Delhi's rising crime and worsening law and order, calling it a threat to citizens and public representatives.

Congress MP raised an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to discuss the detention of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities. In 2024, 350 fishermen and 49 boats have been apprehended, marking the highest in six years.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will initiate a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the significance and evolution of the Constitution, marking its adoption on November 26, 1949.

The government has postponed introducing the 'One Nation One Election' bills in the Lok Sabha until after financial business is addressed. Originally scheduled for Monday, the bills- the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill are now expected to be introduced later this week, following the passage of supplementary demands for grants.

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien stated that his party wants a smooth debate of the Constitution's 75th anniversary, provided the BJP does not disrupt the proceedings. He blamed the ruling party for recent disruptions in the Upper House, which led to multiple adjournments and clashes.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore has raised a notice in the Lok Sabha to discuss the removal of an iconic 1971 war photograph from the Army headquarters. The photograph depicting the surrender during the Bangladesh war has been replaced with a new painting titles 'Karam Kshetra' (Field of Deeds), showcasing Pangong Lake and India's military strength along the India-China border.