Meghwal Slams Rahul Gandhi for Undermining India’s Constitutional Bodies

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has sharply criticized Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him and his party of consistently defaming India’s constitutional institutions. In an exclusive interview with PTI Videos, Meghwal urged Gandhi to address his grievances about the electoral process directly with the Election Commission (EC) instead of raising them in Parliament, citing established protocols that uphold the EC’s independence.

Meghwal referenced a historical precedent set by former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar, who rejected demands for parliamentary discussions on the EC’s functioning to preserve its autonomy. “Rahul Gandhi and Congress are ignoring facts and undermining constitutional bodies. They should review Jakhar’s ruling before making such demands,” Meghwal stated, responding to Gandhi’s call for a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

The minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to introduce a Bill reserving Assembly seats for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Goa, where the ST population has grown but lacks representation in the state Assembly. “This Bill is for the welfare of the ST community, yet Congress and the Opposition are dodging discussions. Their motives are unclear,” Meghwal remarked, expressing frustration over the Opposition’s reluctance to engage on the issue.

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Addressing concerns raised by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other opposition leaders about the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel in the Rajya Sabha’s Well, Meghwal clarified that the decision was made by the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman following a serious security breach in December 2023. During the incident, two individuals jumped from the Lok Sabha visitors’ gallery, releasing yellow smoke canisters, raising significant safety concerns. “This is a matter for the Chair, not the government. The Opposition should approach them directly,” he said.

Meghwal also touched on the ongoing investigation regarding Justice Yashwant Verma, following allegations of unaccounted cash recovered from his official residence in Delhi. He noted that the matter is currently under review by the Lok Sabha Speaker, emphasizing due process.

The minister accused the Congress of disrupting parliamentary proceedings, urging them to allow smooth functioning. “The government is committed to constructive dialogue, but the Opposition’s tactics are obstructing meaningful discussions,” he added, calling for greater accountability from Gandhi and his party.

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