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Kerala minister courts controversy after criticising Indian Constitution
‘The Constitution was fine-tuned adding democracy and secularism here and there to make it beautiful. But the exploitative part is quite evident,’ said Kerala culture minister Saji Cheriyan
Kerala culture minister Saji Cheriyan courted a controversy on Tuesday after criticising the Indian Constitution saying it helped plundering the working class in the last 75 years.
“We often say it is a beautiful Constitution. But we blindly copied the British system and wrote a Constitution. It never provides any safeguard against exploitation. It helps plundering common man and working class,” the minister said at Mallapally in Pathanamthitta district in a programme organised by the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M), Monday night.
“The Constitution was fine-tuned adding democracy and secularism here and there to make it beautiful. But the exploitative part is quite evident. We proudly followed the system for 75 years,” he said.
The Congress-led Opposition has asked chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to sack the minister “who insulted the Constitution.” “He has no right to continue in office,” said Opposition leader, V D Satheesan. As the issue snowballed into a controversy, governor Arif Mohammad Khan has sought details of the speech made by the minister. The chief minister has sought a report from the minister.
But the CPI(M) defended the minister saying he was quoted out of context. “He was pointing out some pitfalls with due respect to the Constitution,” said party Pathanamthitta district secretary K P Udayabhanu. But many senior leaders expressed shock and dismay over his outbursts, party insiders admitted.
“He has insulted the Constitution on which he swore before assuming his office. He has no right to continue,” said former high court judge justice Kemal Pasha. “By insulting the Constitution, he has committed a criminal offence. Criminal procedure can be initiated against him,” said M R Abhilash, a senior lawyer in the Supreme Court.
