“India needs to draft an entirely new Constitution,” said Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) recently. He wants the new Constitution to be “in tune with the growing aspirations of the people,” and “prevent the Centre from usurping the powers of the state.”

There is nothing wrong with both aims but KCR was pounded from all sides (see article below). Dalit leaders said he was insulting B.R. Ambedkar; the Congress party alleged that his real aim was to deprive backward classes, as it declared, “the Indian Constitution is the best and is ideal for the entire world;”and the BJP accused KCR of having a “cruel intention to introduce his own Constitution.”

All this criticism without knowing any specifics about KCR’s ideas for the new Constitution shows how we Indians are not really interested in reform. We have been spoon-fed that our Constitution is the best in the world and its framers, especially Nehru and Ambedkar, were infallible men. We think of our Constitution as sacred, and not a man-made document. But the biggest hurdle to not seeking reform has turned out to be our politicians; they lack a better vision for our Constitution. They’re ill informed about how it can be improved by a better balancing of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of our government.

I hope that KCR persists and proves me wrong by showing that he has good ideas for a better Constitution. His two aims of meeting the people’s aspirations and safeguarding state rights are certainly worthy of implementation. I urge him to study the U.S. Constitution’s decentralized structure, which allows citizens better participation in governance than India’s Constitution. And also consider America’s federalism, which offers the state governments more protections.

-Bhanu Dhamija

[Excerpts of article published on the Hindustan Times website on 03 February 2022.]

Row after KCR seeks a new Constitution

KCR, as the CM is popularly called, mooted the proposal while addressing a press conference at his camp office Pragati Bhavan on Tuesday evening while reacting to the Union Budget.

[By Srinivasa Rao Apparasu]

A day after Telangana chief minister (CM) K Chandrasekhar Rao called for rewriting the Constitution of India, his statements lead to an uproar from the opposition parties and Dalit organisations across the state on Wednesday.

“India needs to draft an entirely new Constitution which is in tune with the growing aspirations of the people and to ensure the progress of the country. A new Constitution is the only way to prevent the Centre from usurping the powers of the state,” Rao said.

KCR, as the CM is popularly called, mooted the proposal while addressing a press conference at his camp office Pragati Bhavan on Tuesday evening while reacting to the Union Budget.

He pointed out that several countries had re-written their Constitutions. “India, too, has amended its Constitution 80-odd times (sic). Yet, it has failed to address to the basic needs of the people, including drinking water, irrigation and power. How long should this continue?” he asked.

Stating that this was the only way to make India powerful, he said there should be a debate on this aspect. “I have been in politics for 50 years and have been an MLA, MP and CM only because of the present Constitution of India. Yet, I strongly suggest that there is a need to rewrite the Constitution to bring a qualitative change in the country,” he said.

The comments evoked sharp reactions from the opposition parties. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president and MP, A Revanth Reddy said that KCR’s comments were only a reflection of the views of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which he alleged, was conspiring to deprive the backward classes of their reservations and other benefits.

Reddy said, “Indian Constitution is the best and is ideal for the entire world.If any changes are required in tune with the growing needs of the country, it could be amended. But by proposing a change in the Constitution, KCR has displayed his disrespect and hatred towards Dr Ambedkar.”

Meanwhile, BJP Telangana unit president Bandi Sanjay said KCR’s statements have revealed his cruel intention to introduce his own Constitution.

Bahujan Samaj Party convener and retired IPS officer R S Praveen Kumar described KCR’s statement as irresponsible. “This exposes a deeper conspiracy to erase all the safeguards guaranteed to the minorities and weaker sections. What people need is change of rulers not the Constitution,” Kumar said.

“KCR should tender unconditional apology and withdraw his remarks,” Dalit organisation Telangana Bheem Army state secretary Vasala Srinivas said in a statement.

Ambedkar Youth Association leader C L Yadagiri reminded that Telangana as a state could become a reality only because of the Constitution, drafted by Ambedkar. “The weaker sections are able to get some benefits only because of the Constitution. Otherwise, the country would have gone to dogs,” he said.