Document Fragment View

Matching Fragments

Now, he has brought an amendment with an ulterior motive that I may be permitted to submit.

This is not an idealistic approach. As a matter of fact, I would have supported it if it was brought with an idealistic view. But it is not like that.

Even in the Statement of Objects and Reasons my friend says : "Our country is not a theocratic State". He says that our country is not a theocratic State. Who says this? Hon. Member Yogi Aditya Nath says it. Our country is a secular State. This is not my statement. On 18th November, when the Gujarat situation was discussed, hon. Deputy Prime Minister Shri L.K. Advani had said that India is a secular State. That has created a furore among you. It has created widespread resentment throughout the country and from no less than a person than the Shiv Sena leader Shri Bal Thackeray. He found fault with Shri L.K. Advani for having made that statement. After all, our Deputy Prime Minister is holding a legal position. In our Constitution it is enshrined that ours is a secular and democratic State. He has only stated that. But when he has stated that, there was hue and cry from every part and every corner. The Bajrang Dal rose in revolt; the RSS front rose in revolt. The Shiv Sena supreme commander had written in his own paper that Shri Advani is a pseudo-secularist. Shri Advani has simply stated that our India is a secular State with pluralistic society. That is what he has said. He could not state otherwise so long as he is the Deputy Prime Minister. Could he say that India is a Hindu State? He cannot say that. Even stating the real fact as per the provisions in the Constitution has created a big furore among the people.

It is not only that. Our founding fathers found it difficult to implement the common civil code at that time. Do you think that the situation has changed? Is there any change in the situation? We know that the Babri Masjid was destroyed, creating an ill-feeling among the minority communities. We all know it. Even our Deputy Prime Minister Shri L.K. Advani regretted over the incident, for having demolished the mosque. He himself regretted it. That is the situation available in the country.

It is not only that. Even now we are thinking of the Godhra incident. Even our hon. Prime Minister has categorically deplored that incident and he said that it should not be made an election issue in Gujarat. Godhra incident should not be an election issue. That was the statement of our hon. Prime Minister. Please do not make it an election issue. That is the situation available in the country. Is it right for us to amend the constitution and do away with Article 44? Is the time ripe? What is the situation available in the country?