On 26 November, the nation will once again observe Constitution Day. As always, there will be the usual barrage of speeches—ad nauseam—about “how important the Constitution is for all of us,” “why it must be safeguarded,” and claims that “India has the best Constitution in the world.” These, however, increasingly sound like empty and hypocritical platitudes from those in power—who simultaneously eulogise the Constitution while systematically undermining the rights, freedoms, and values it embodies.
Since 2014, the Constitution of India has faced a meticulous and relentless assault. Several critical constitutional matters have recently come up before the Supreme Court, at least for hearings. Among them is the case of Umar Khalid and others arrested for protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Umar has been languishing in prison for more than five years; his bail applications were rejected without substantive reasons by lower courts. When the matter finally came up in September, the hearing was adjourned because “the files arrived late.”
Another major issue is the challenge to anti-conversion laws. The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the constitutional validity of the slew of such laws passed in various BJP-ruled states (including Rajasthan, with Maharashtra planning a similar law). The constitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, also remains unresolved, even after the Court observed that several clauses may need to be struck down. The fraudulent Bihar elections have concluded despite multiple petitions challenging the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and its parallel implementation in several other states—yet nothing seems to be moving.
The very fact that issues of such magnitude are piling up in the Apex Court is deeply alarming. Something is fundamentally rotten. India stands on the brink, threatened by fascist, fundamentalist, and fanatical forces determined to drag the country back to the dark ages. At stake are India’s pluralism, diversity, and democratic ethos. Good governance is pathetically absent. Fundamental rights—Article 19 (freedom of speech and expression), Article 21 (right to life and liberty), Article 25 (freedom of religion), indeed all basic freedoms—are repeatedly denied.
Those most affected are the poor and marginalised: minorities and vulnerable communities, Adivasis, Dalits and OBCs, small farmers, migrant and casual workers, women and children, differently-abled citizens, persons of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, journalists, human rights defenders, and others who courageously uphold democratic values.
The ruling regime’s actions reflect a deliberate method. There is no political will to resolve the burning issues that grip the nation. Instead, we witness hurried, biased, and prejudiced legislation designed to dismantle constitutional guarantees: the National Education Policy, the Citizenship Amendment Act, anti-conversion laws, the anti-farmer laws, the four anti-worker labour codes (recently activated after a long lull), the proposed Uniform Civil Code, One Nation-One Election, the Waqf Bill, the imposition of Hindi as a national language, delimitation proposals, and the delisting of tribal communities who adopt Christianity or Islam.
Constitutional bodies—including the Election Commission, Enforcement Directorate, CBI, NIA, police, and even sections of the judiciary (the new CJI does not have an impressive track record)—have been compromised. They function like “caged parrots.” Corruption has become normalised: first demonetisation, then the Electoral Bonds scam. The rich grow richer, the poor poorer.
In this climate of systematic attacks on constitutional values, it is essential to return to the post-independence vision of the Constituent Assembly. On 26 November 1949, We, the People of India gave ourselves a path-breaking Constitution shaped by visionary leaders from every section of society, led by Dr B. R. Ambedkar.
On 25 November 1949, on the eve of adoption of the Constitution, Ambedkar delivered a passionate speech outlining the principles necessary to safeguard democracy. He warned against abandoning constitutional methods, against hero-worship, and against reducing democracy to a mere form without social justice. His words are prophetic.
Today, Ambedkar’s warning appears tragically relevant. The Constitution guarantees fundamental rights grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), based on justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity—foundations essential for a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic. Yet we now witness a systematic destruction of human rights, pluralism, and dignity.
On 28 January 2025, The Telegraph published a report titled “Rub your eyes: Hindu Rashtra Constitution to be unveiled at Mahakumbh on Basant Panchami.” It described a 501-page document, drafted by a 25-member committee citing the Ramayana, teachings of Krishna, Manusmriti, and Arthashastra, and proposed for unveiling on 2 February 2025 at the Mahakumbh. Whether this will occur remains uncertain, but it is alarming that no one in government has publicly condemned the idea. It reveals calculated efforts to destroy India’s secular character and constitutional identity.
The group behind this draft—Hindu Rashtra Samvidhan Nirmal Samiti—aims to make India a Hindu nation by 2035, after failing to secure the parliamentary numbers needed for undemocratic constitutional changes in 2025, the RSS centenary year. This explains the attempt to manipulate elections (#VoteChori, #VoteKhareedi), as exposed in the fraudulent Bihar polls.
We must honestly acknowledge: the Constitution is in danger. Therefore, we must act:
- defend and promote constitutional values and rights
- study and internalise the Constitution
- participate conscientiously in democracy
- support training in social analysis and advocacy
- generate awareness across institutions
- demand repeal of anti-people, anti-constitutional laws
- ensure voter registration and turnout for democratic, secular candidates
- participate in peaceful public action for human rights
- collaborate with civil society and citizen movements
Across the country, many individuals and groups are doing remarkable work. Among them is Vinay Kumar from Bengaluru—an aerospace engineer and activist—who helped launch the Reclaim Constitution initiative (www.reclaimconstitution.in). This year, on 26 November, they are hosting a National Quiz on the Constitution with 1,500 students from 200 schools across 20 states and 5 Union Territories.
In a Frontline interview (29 March 2024), Vinay emphasised that the Constitution belongs to every citizen, not merely to legal or political institutions. The Preamble begins with “We, the People of India” and ends with “We give to ourselves this Constitution.” It is our document; our freedom fighters sacrificed for it.
As we observe Constitution Day 2025, we must pledge to resist forces that seek to destroy it. We cannot remain silent or comfortable. We, the People of India must rise together and reclaim the Constitution. It belongs to us. As Ambedkar declared, we must be prepared to defend it “with the last drop of our blood.”
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*Human rights, peace, and reconciliation activist and writer
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