"Congress will not let RSS change Constitution": Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the Constitution of India is not just a book but a commitment to every citizen of this country, adding that his party will not let the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh change the Constitution. Addressing the public at a roadshow in Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi said, "Every now and then you hear some BJP MP saying that they will change the Constitution. Let me make it clear Congress will not let the RSS change the Constitution. It is our duty as the Congress party to protect every single Indian regardless of which community he is from, which state he is from, which religion he practices and where he lives and how he lives."

The Wayanad MP said that the Constitution ensures the protection of diversity in our country. "What is it that protects our people, our languages, our different traditions and history? It is the Constitution of the country. People mistakenly say that the Constitution is a book. Constitution is a commitment, to every single citizen of this country. It is a commitment to every individual that we will allow you to live peacefully and happily in this country," he said.

"The PM does not understand our country. He says one nation, one leader, one language. What does he mean by one language? There are many many languages in our country..." he added. Earlier, former Union Minister and BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde said that his party needs a total of 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls if any changes are to be made to the Constitution.

Hegde called for re-writing of the Constitution stating that Congress earlier made changes to the Constitution to oppress the Hindu society and to undo that "act" that his party needs a two-thirds majority in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as well as in states. "They (Congress) have changed the Constitution and brought laws to oppress the entire Hindu society. If all this is to be changed, it will not happen with this minority vote. Both sides need a two-thirds majority. This time PM Modi has said that we should win more than 400 seats. Why 400? We have a majority in the Lok Sabha, but not in the Rajya Sabha. We need 400 seats to make any changes in the Constitution," the BJP MP said on Saturday.

"We need a two-thirds majority in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and also in the states. Just the majority in Lok Sabha is not enough," he added. However, the Karnataka BJP distanced itself from the remarks made by Anantkumar Hegde and said that his remarks do not reflect the party's stance. The party has also called for an explanation from the BJP MP.

Rahul Gandhi conducted a roadshow in Wayanad on Monday. The polling for the Lok Sabha elections will be conducted in seven phases across the country from April 19 to June 1. The counting of votes will be on June 4. (ANI)

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