Rajya Sabha reaffirms commitment to Constitution

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution reaffirming commitment to the "principles and ideals" of the Constitution and pledging to protect the sovereignty and plurality of the country.

The resolution was adopted following a three-day-long discussion on commitment to the Constitution as part of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of B.R. Ambedkar.

Reading out the resolution, Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Hamid Ansari said the House in the course of the discussion "remembered with gratitude the commitment of father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, pioneering and monumental role played by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and other founding fathers of our constitution, and their contribution in enabling us to adopt, enact, and give to ourselves on 26th November 1949 the Constitution which commenced on 26th January 1950".

"Having recalled with appreciation the invaluable services rendered by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the chairman of the drafting committee of the constituent assembly and all its members in the framing of the constitution, we do hereby solemnly reaffirm our commitment to the principles and ideals of the Constitution and resolve to continue to uphold and maintain the sanctity and supremacy of the Constitution," the resolution said.

The members pledged to "respect the constitutional institutions, their freedom and authority", "protect the sovereignty, unity, plurality and integrity of our country and its democratic socialist and secular character" and "maintain transparency, probity and accountability in public life".

The Rajya Sabha chairman also said that the members should dedicate themselves to "equality and social justice and contribute to the task of building a strong republic".