Mamata Banerjee's Blunt Speech on Constitution and Democracy

Mamata Banerjee has a reputation for speaking honestly and candidly, even when she is aware that doing so might sometimes cost her. It would be reasonable to argue that Mamata, subtlety is thy name based on the portrayal of herself that she displayed on Saturday night at the Calcutta Club as the keynote speaker.

"I have worked with many Prime Ministers — Rajiv Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, (I.K.) Gujral, even Deve Gowdaji, but never seen such a Prime Minister," she said at the end of her time at the podium, railing against Prime Minister Narendra Modi specifically without mentioning his name. I won't identify them, but this PM is so adorable and sweet—I've never seen a PM this adorable and sweet—that it's really, very excellent.


It's also noteworthy that Mamata made no mention of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in whose cabinet she served. This might have been her way of saying that she wouldn't be giving the BJP any money in the lead-up to the bitter fight of 2024.

The chief minister made it very clear that India does not need a new Constitution and that the requests for one were intended to alter the spirit of the document in order to advance a certain philosophy or vision.

"Someone can argue that India needs a new Constitution since new times are upon us. Someone's ideology or vision is served when they argue that we need a new one. In her keynote speech at the Calcutta Club The Telegraph National Debate, the chief minister said, "What they want is to change the spirit of the Constitution."

Before eight speakers took part in the discussion on "This House believes India does not need a new Constitution," the speaker delivered her opening comments. She made reference, but did not identify any names, to the saffron ecosystem's goal of altering the Preamble of the Constitution in order to change its spirit.

"We adore our Constitution because the Preamble embodies its soul. The Preamble, which guarantees justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, opportunity for all, and unity in diversity, serves as the country of India's compass. India is a large nation, and federalism, secularism, and democracy were all considered by our predecessors when they established the Constitution. We will not put up with it now if someone argues that federalism, democracy, or secularism are wrong," Mamata said.

In front of the affluent Calcutta Club audience, she performed the role of the perfect politician by emphasizing her lack of command of English and her "civilized manner," but it's possible that she was playing a calculated card.

In recent years, Mamata has expressed her concerns on the BJP's potential to amend the Constitution both at open rallies and private party gatherings.

"We do not need a new Constitution," she asserted, using the debating stage on Saturday.

Mamata urged the speakers on both sides to engage in a comprehensive discussion of the resolution, notwithstanding her firm stance. Mamata left the room to go on a tour of Birbhum.

"I love to listen to and learn from debates, but I don't attend debates due to a lack of time," the woman said.

Upon concluding her thirty-six-minute speech, a few attendees came up to her to offer their appreciation for the presentation. Mamata grinned and said that the motion was one of her "favourite topics." She often reminds people that she is a licensed attorney.

The chief minister made it obvious early on in her remarks that she was well-prepared. She spoke about how the Constitution was drafted with the assistance of brilliant minds such as Sucheta Kripalani, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Vallabhbhai Patel, protecting the rights of every Indian and providing the essential checks and balances to keep the varied nation together.

"We have basic rights, but we also have responsibilities. Individual rights and freedom of expression are guaranteed to us, but our sovereignty cannot be compromised. The needs of the nation have led to several amendments to the Constitution, according to Mamata.

She said, "As a human being and a common person, I cannot accept what is going on now; it is horrible." She did not specifically mention the BJP or the RSS. What I dress, what I eat, and the language I speak (all under control). You have the power to make us keep quiet. Where is democracy if the Constitution is being used to silence us?

She made the case that democracy was under peril and gave several instances to support her claim, such as the suspension of 147 opposition MPs and the passing of new legislation without debate. She also mentioned one of her pet peeves, the Center's unwillingness to transfer cash because of the states, and said the GST was eroding the states' financial independence.

Mamata said, "I am talking about all the states, not just my own."

She focused on the pressure that persons in positions of power had placed on media outlets. She questioned, "Was the media purchased like this ten years ago?"

Mamata expressed dismay at the manner certain media outlets had failed to report on the happenings in Manipur.

"One political party now controls the media in its entirety. Can't you fight instead of submitting to the governing party? said she.

She continued by criticizing the functions of the CBI, ED, and other government agencies.

She called for impartial coverage of the opposition while expressing dissatisfaction with the propaganda of the governing party dictating the media conversation.

Mamata attacked the court after denouncing the central agencies' practice of robbing journalists.

"The judge is someone I respect, but they are also acting under duress. What proportion of them are brave? stated Mamata.

According to her, the people, the courts, and the media all contribute to a democracy's vitality.

Without mentioning him by name, the chief minister made fun of the Narendra Modi government's PR offensive. She questioned whether it was appropriate to represent only one person, citing the Prime Minister's images on Covid certificates and PDS plan promotional materials.

"One country, one election is the topic of debate right now. There will only be one leader and one party. They don't understand that one person cannot create a family and have forgotten what a family is," Mamata said.

She refuted the notion that the BJP had won the general election, which she said had undermined certain opposition parties, and she vowed to keep fighting. Then she expressed optimism.

Some individuals are still fighting; they are willing to give their lives in battle but they will not back down. It will become clear one day that agencies are unable to govern the nation. She expressed confidence that the era of despotism, Stalinism, Hitlerism, and agency raj would come to an end.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.