India is not about one man, it is about us: Kapil Sibal

The Election Commission is no longer an open institution and owes answers to the nation, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said in a speech during the ongoing debate on the Constitution in Parliament on Monday, when he raised a wide range of issues, from the crisis in Manipur to individual liberty. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said the country had “collectively failed” its Constitution, which assures its citizens justice, equality, fraternity and liberty. There is a civil war in part of the country?” The Constitution promises economic justice, Sibal said, adding: “But look at the disparity between rich and poor. When 356 is used to change governments, whether it’s this side or that side?” Quoting BR Ambedkar, considered the architect of the national document, Sibal said: “On November 4, Ambedkar said ‘it is perfectly possible to pervert the Constitution without changing its form by merely changing the form of the administration and to make it inconsistent and opposed to the spirit of the Constitution.’” Sibal said there was continued erosion of basic liberties “Where is the liberty of faith, of thought, of worship? Is there anywhere in the world where there is a whip in Parliament except for two exceptions; when the government is going to fall or there is a no-confidence motion and perhaps when the budget is passed…these are the only exceptions in a political democracy.” The governor is meant to be the link between a state and the Centre, but the institution of governorship has become adversarial to state governments”, he said, adding governments haven’t been able to deliver the basic promises of justice, equality and liberty enshrined in the Constitution.