Rajeev Chandrasekhar Emphasises Daily Responsibility To Uphold Constitution

Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday said that the Indian Constitution must be defended daily through constant vigilance, rather than being remembered only on commemorative occasions, as he addressed an event marking the anniversary of the 1975 Emergency.

Speaking at a function organised in Thiruvananthapuram, Chandrasekhar described the Emergency imposed by the then Congress government as one of the most serious assaults on India’s constitutional framework and democratic institutions. He said the period was marked by actions that, according to him, were intended to protect political interests rather than national security or democratic principles.

The BJP leader asserted that the Emergency served as a continuing reminder of the need to safeguard democratic values and constitutional rights. He said citizens must remain alert to any attempts that could weaken constitutional protections, adding that lessons from history must not be forgotten to avoid repeating past mistakes.

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Chandrasekhar alleged that fundamental rights under the Constitution, particularly freedoms guaranteed under Article 19, were curtailed during the Emergency through the use of coercive measures. He argued that such actions highlighted the importance of maintaining strong institutional checks to protect civil liberties in a democracy.

Drawing parallels with contemporary debates, he expressed concern over what he described as emerging challenges related to constitutional guarantees, including the right to life under Article 21 and issues concerning property rights. He also referenced the ongoing national discussion around the Waqf matter, stating that constitutional protections related to property must remain intact.

The BJP state president further stressed the importance of press freedom, describing a free and independent media as essential to democratic functioning. He also remarked that groups which had once questioned the Constitution had now entered mainstream political spaces, calling it a development that requires careful attention. Chandrasekhar concluded by stating that safeguarding the Constitution, democracy, and India’s foundational principles is a shared responsibility of all citizens, emphasising that true protection of constitutional values requires daily commitment rather than symbolic observance.

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