"Those vowing to protect Constitution have been exposed": Union Minister Shekhawat on DK Shivakumar's remarks

New Delhi [India], March 24 : After the ongoing session of Parliament witnessed heated exchanges and an adjournment over Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's reported remarks on the Constitution, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat slammed those who, in his words, had previously vowed to protect the Constitution, accusing them of using it merely as a political tool.
Speaking to ANI, Shekhawat stated, "Those who were roaming around with the Constitution and vowing to protect it, their character and face have been exposed once again. Those who always treated the Constitution according to their convenience have once again exposed their personality and put it in front of the people of the country...For them, the Constitution was just a means to win the elections."
This comes after DK Shivakumar, at an event on Sunday, talked about the bill that provided four per cent reservation to minorities and other backward classes in public contracts in the state in an event, purportedly saying that the "Constitution will be changing."
A ruckus erupted within a few minutes of the proceedings in Rajya Sabha over Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's reported remarks about "changing the Constitution".
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an explanation from the Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, regarding the Congress' position on reservation for Muslims, whereas the Congress chief said that nobody can change the Constitution.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Kiren Rijiju termed the Shivakumar's statement "extremely serious."
Replying to Kiren Rijiju, LoP and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that his party took up the Bharat Jodo Yatra across the country to protect the Constitution.
"Nobody can change the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Nobody can finish the reservation. To protect it, we did the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. They (points at NDA MPs) break India," Kharge said.
Kiren Rijiju further replied to Kharge and demanded the resignation of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
"Raising the issue of Muslim reservation, Congress has sullied the prestige of Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution. If you have guts, demand the resignation of Deputy CM today itself," Rijiju said.
Leader of the House JP Nadda added it is stated in the Constitution that reservation will not be given based on religion.
"Congress Party's move to implement religion-based reservations contradicts the core principles established by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Constitution. In Karnataka, the Congress has already introduced a 4% reservation based on religion for public contracts. Such laws and policies should be withdrawn. No one can change the Constitution that evolved under the guidance of BR Ambedkar," Nadda stated.
However, Shivakumar on Monday accused the BJP of twisting his remarks on the Constitution to spread disinformation, denying claims that he advocated changing the Constitution and warned of legal action against those spreading misinformation about his statement.
"I have never said we would change the Constitution. The BJP is carrying out propaganda. I will fight it legally," he said while speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence.
When asked about the BJP's criticism of his statement to a private TV channel on changing the Constitution to provide religion-based reservation for Muslims, he said, "The BJP is twisting my statement. I have been in public life for 36 years and have basic common sense. But the BJP is misleading people. My name is being dragged into BJP's disinformation campaign."
"All I said was that there is a precedent for changing the Constitution based on the Court's orders. I have never said we will change the Constitution. The Congress is a national party that brought the Constitution in the first place. We understand its importance better than others. The Centre has failed the people in the recent Budget and is now trying to rake up other issues. This is part of the BJP's continued political conspiracy," he added.
When pointed to AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge's statement that he would not allow any changes to the Constitution, Shivakumar said, "Ours is the party that gave the country its Constitution. We must uphold it. This is the BJP's conspiracy to cover up its weaknesses."