A Historic Photo from Parliament's Central Hall
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, a remarkable photograph emerged from Parliament's Central Hall that captured the attention of the entire nation. During the Constitution Day celebrations marking the adoption of India's Constitution on November 26, 1949, political rivals Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi shared a stage in what appeared to be a moment of rare unity.
The annual event, which has been observed since 2015, brought together leaders from across the political spectrum, including the President, Vice President, and Speaker of Lok Sabha. In a powerful visual, all leaders were seen reading from the Constitution's Preamble together, with Mahatma Gandhi's portrait overseeing the proceedings from the wall behind them.
The Reality Beyond the Frame
While the photograph suggested political harmony, the reality outside the shared frame tells a different story. The BJP continues to criticize what it calls Congress's pandering to extremist ideologies and its unfinished decolonization agenda. Meanwhile, Congress accuses the BJP of constitutional hypocrisy, claiming the ruling party's show of respect for the document is insincere.
The political middle ground, which should be anchored by constitutional values and ideals, remains largely unoccupied by either major party. This polarization persists despite the symbolic unity displayed during the Constitution Day ceremony.
Constitutional Values in Action
Beyond the political theater, the Constitution's moderating influence continues to manifest in other important spaces. Recently, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant demonstrated this during Supreme Court proceedings challenging electoral rolls.
The CJI reframed the citizenship debate by asking compassionate questions about marginalized individuals. "Somebody working as a poor rickshaw puller, somebody working as a labourer on a construction site" - if such people receive Aadhaar cards, the CJI noted, this aligns with "our constitutional ethos" and "constitutional morality."
The Path Forward
As a new Parliament session opens on Monday, the challenge remains whether this momentary common ground can be transformed into meaningful dialogue. The celebration of Constitution Day and the reopening of Parliament present an opportunity for leaders to embrace the optimism embedded in India's democratic institutions.
The photograph from Constitution Day serves as both a reminder of what's possible and a challenge to bridge the political divide. While finding common ground remains difficult, the constitutional framework established decades ago continues to provide the foundation for democratic engagement and national progress.
