Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked Constitution Day on Wednesday with a powerful message to the nation, urging every citizen to never miss out on their constitutional right to vote. He also renewed his longstanding pitch for creating a balance between the rights granted by the Constitution and the duties it expects from its people.
A Call for Duty-Conscious Citizenship
In his address, the Prime Minister emphasized that while the discourse around individual rights has always received significant attention, the Constitution's parallel focus on the duties of citizens has often been overlooked. He cited the wisdom of stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhi to underscore that social and economic progress is deeply rooted in the primacy of duties.
As India marches towards the dream of becoming a developed nation, PM Modi stated that citizens must always keep their duties towards the country at the forefront of their minds. This philosophy was central to a letter he penned to the nation on November 26, a day his government designated as Constitution Day back in 2015.
Empowering First-Time Voters and a Political Jab
In his letter, the Prime Minister suggested that special events be organized in schools and colleges to mark the 'coming-of-age' of youngsters, specifically celebrating first-time voters. He believes that such initiatives will make young adults feel like active participants in the nation-building process.
"It is our duty to never miss the opportunity to vote in national, state and local elections where we are registered," PM Modi firmly stated. His remarks gain context amid high voter turnouts in recent elections and the ongoing special summary revision of electoral rolls in several states and Union Territories.
Amid accusations from the Congress party that his government is weakening constitutional values, PM Modi took a subtle swipe at the opposition. He pointed out that the 60th anniversary of the Constitution's adoption in 2010 did not receive the national attention it deserved. In contrast, he highlighted that the Gujarat government under his leadership had organized a 'Samvidhan Gaurav Yatra' to honor the occasion.
Personal Tributes and Constitutional Milestones
PM Modi expressed deep personal gratitude to the Constitution, crediting it for enabling a person from a disadvantaged background like himself to serve as the head of a government for over 24 continuous years, which includes his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from October 2001.
He also connected the day to other significant milestones, noting that the year marks the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Birsa Munda. He asserted that it was the inspiration and conviction of Sardar Patel, India's first Home Minister, that guided his government in repealing Article 370 and 35(A), ensuring the Indian Constitution is now fully implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sharing personal gestures of reverence, PM Modi recalled bowing and touching the steps of Parliament upon his first entry in 2014 and touching the Constitution to his forehead after his re-election in 2019. He paid rich tributes to Constituent Assembly chairman Dr. Rajendra Prasad and drafting committee chair Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
The day's events also included a programme at the Samvidhan Sadan, where President Droupadi Murmu addressed a gathering. Summarizing his message on social media platform X, the Prime Minister posted, "While it (the Constitution) empowers us with rights, it also reminds us of our duties as citizens, which we should always try to fulfil. These duties are the foundation of a strong democracy."
