Tue Nov 26 20:57:15 UTC 2024: ## India Launches Year-Long Celebration for 75th Anniversary of Constitution
**New Delhi** – India kicked off a year-long commemoration of the 75th anniversary of its Constitution’s adoption on Tuesday, November 26th, Constitution Day. The nationwide campaign, titled “Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Swabhimaan” (Our Constitution, Our Pride), honors the Constitution’s framers and its core values.
President Droupadi Murmu addressed a joint session of Parliament, launching the celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also participated, highlighting the Constitution’s full implementation in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time and paying tribute to victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna described the Constitution as a “living, breathing document.”
The day’s events were not without political sparring. The BJP criticized Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, for allegedly not greeting President Murmu at the Parliament event. Gandhi, in turn, questioned PM Modi’s understanding of the Constitution. Other political figures offered mixed reactions, with some praising the celebrations’ solemnity while others called for greater inclusivity and criticized the government’s actions in recent events. For example, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav linked the celebrations to recent clashes in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal used the occasion to highlight his party’s achievements.
The celebrations included the release of commemorative books, a coin, and a stamp by President Murmu. The President also highlighted the government’s work in empowering marginalized communities. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar emphasized the importance of maintaining the bond between citizens and their elected representatives. Various political leaders from across the spectrum shared their thoughts on the significance of the Constitution and its role in India’s democracy.
First Piper 