Parliament to hold special sittings to mark Constitution Day

In a tribute to B.R. Ambedkar, widely regarded as the architect of the Indian constitution, the parliament will hold a special sitting on Thursday and Friday, marking Constitution Day.

The two-day event will be a part of year-long nationwide celebrations to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said on Wednesday all parties have welcomed the move.

"All the parties have overwhelmingly welcomed the two-day special sittings to discuss 'Commitment to the Constitution as part of the 125th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Dr.B R Ambedkar'," Naidu said after an all party meeting.

A Lok Sabha bulletin said there will be no zero hour on the two days.

Naidu said Vice President M. Hamid Ansari, the Rajya Sabha chairman, and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan will make opening remarks in the two houses, following which Home Minister Rajnath Singh, also the Deputy Leader of Lok Sabha, will initiate a discussion in the lower house.

In the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister and Leader of House Arun Jaitley will start the discussion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will intervene towards the end of the discussion in both houses.

"Leaders of various parties suggested adoption of a resolution at the end of discussion in both the houses and draft resolution on Commitment to the Constitution be formulated in consultation with all the parties and this will be discussed further," Naidu added.

The Constitution of India was adopted on November 26, 1949 before it came into force on January 26, 1950.