Now constitution fully implemented in J&K: PM

‘UT observes Constitution Day for first time; Terrorist Organisations challenging security will get befitting Reply’

Jammu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the Constitution is now fully implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.
He also said Tuesday was the first time when the Constitution Day was celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at a programme held at the Supreme Court to mark the 75 years of Constitution, Modi said"We have seen the Emergency in the country — our Constitution has faced this challenge that arose before democracy. It’s the power of the Constitution that today, in Jammu & Kashmir, Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution is fully implemented."
"Today, for the first time, Constitution Day is celebrated there (in J&K)... the Constitution is a guiding light for us. Bharat kebhavishya ka marg ab bade sapno, bade sankalpon ki siddhi ka hai (the path to India’s future is now one of big dreams and greater determination)."
He added that the spirit of 'nation first' will keep alive the Indian Constitution for centuries to come.
PM Modi also said referred to the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 on this day and said the terrorist organisations challenging the security of India will get befitting reply.
“This is the 75th year of the Indian Constitution – it is a matter of immense pride for the country. I bow to the Constitution and all the members of the Constituent Assembly. We cannot forget that today is also the anniversary of the terror attack in Mumbai. Those who lost their lives, I pay my homage to them. I also want to reiterate the resolution of the country – every terrorist organisation challenging the security of India will get befitting reply,” he said.
As Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar cautioned that disturbance as a strategy threatened democratic institutions, Modi said the Constitution is acting as a "guiding light" at a time when India is going through a period of transformation.
The Constitution was variously described by the country's leadership as a "holy book", "living, continuously flowing stream", "progressive document", "masterpiece" and "our mother".
Recalling the words of the country's first President Rajendra Prasad in his concluding address to the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, Modi said he had stated that India does not need anything more than a group of honest people who will keep the country's interests above their own.
"This sentiment of 'nation first' will keep alive the Constitution for centuries to come," he said, comments that came against the backdrop of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's relentless attack on the BJP alleging that the saffron party wanted to "destroy the Constitution."
"Our Constitution makers knew that India's aspirations, India's dreams will reach new heights with time. They knew that the needs of independent India and its citizens will change, challenges will change. That is why they did not leave our Constitution as just a mere book of laws. Rather, they made it a living, continuously flowing stream," he said.
Leaders of the BJP and the Congress also accused each other of working against the constitutional values.
A year long celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Constitution's adoption was launched by President Droupadi Murmu with an address to a joint sitting of parliamentarians to mark 'Samvidhan Diwas' (Constitution Day) in Parliament.
President Murmu said it is the responsibility of the executive, legislature and the judiciary to work together to make the lives of common people better in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution.
India's Constitution is a "living and progressive" document and the country's farsighted Constitution-makers provided for a system of adopting new ideas, according to the needs of the changing times, she added.
Several chief ministers also took out padyatras in their respective state capitals and spoke how the Constitution has ensured equal rights to everyone irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution at the Central Hall of Parliament on November 26, 1949. The Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950. The day of its adoption is observed as 'Samvidhan Divas'.
Noting that disturbance as a strategy threatens democratic institutions, Vice President Dhankhar said it is time to restore the sanctity of our democratic temples through "constructive dialogue", debate and meaningful discussion to serve people effectively.
He invoked Dr BR Ambedkar to say that "our independence will be put in jeopardy a second time" if parties placed creed above country.
The celebrations were also utilised by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to urge MPs to follow the tradition of constructive and dignified debates set by the Constituent Assembly. Birla's comments came against the backdrop of frequent disruptions in Parliament over a range of issues.