DATE=1/30/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA - CONSTITUTION (L-O)
NUMBER=2-258577
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: India's opposition Congress Party leader,
Sonia Gandhi, was detained briefly (Sunday) while
leading a march to protest a planned constitutional
review by the Hindu-nationalist-led government.
Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi.
TEXT: Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi and several
other party officials were arrested and later released
for leading a noisy march to Prime Minister Atal
Behari Vajpayee's residence. The party is protesting
what it calls - attempts by the government to subvert
the constitution.
The Congress Party pledges to fight what it calls -
the growth of communal forces and an assault on the
constitution.
Earlier this week, as India celebrated the 50th
anniversary of its Republic Day, Prime Minister
Vajpayee announced his government would establish a
commission to review India's constitution. He said
this has become necessary to ensure political
stability and faster socio-economic growth.
The government's proposal is being sharply attacked by
the Congress Party as well as left and socialist
parties.
They fear Mr. Vajpayee's Hindu-nationalist party may
try to ensure fixed five-year terms for parliament, or
change the country's political system from
parliamentary to presidential. The parties say this
may be done under what they say is - the guise of
creating political stability. The opposition parties
also express fear the government may tamper with the
secular character of the constitution.
Congress Party leader Kapil Sibal says the
constitution has worked well, and does not need to be
reviewed. He says the government's plea for stability
will not solve the country's problems.
/// SIBAL ACT ///
Political stability on its own terms will not
bring about the good of the people. We have had
stable governments in the past, but the basic
needs of the people have still not been
satisfied. Will it ensure the that they (the
government) will be rid of poverty, that the
country will get 100-percent literacy, that
people no longer live below the poverty line?
These are the basic issues facing the people.
Political stability is only a bogey (disguise)
to make sure they continue in power. It is
nothing to do with the good of the people.
/// END ACT ///
A powerful lower-caste leader from Uttar Pradesh
State, Mulayem Singh Yadav, said Saturday he would
launch a nationwide protest if the government tampers
with the constitution.
Indian President K-R Narayanan has also cautioned the
government about its plans, saying - we have to
consider whether it is the constitution that has
failed us, or we who have failed the constitution.
Law Minister Ram Jethmalani defends the government's
decision, saying it does not plan to alter the basic
structure of the constitution, but merely to have a
fresh look to see how it can serve the country better.
Despite the outcry, the government says it will
proceed with the review. It says a commission to do
so will be established in the next two-weeks.
/// REST OPT ///
The Congress party also targeted the Gujarat state
government during its (Sunday) protest. It says it is
concerned about the state government's decision to
allow government employees to become members of a
Hindu-nationalist group. (SIGNED)
NEB/AP/ALW/RAE
30-Jan-2000 09:46 AM EDT (30-Jan-2000 1446 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
