Modi government is preparing to make 5 constitutional amendments in the coming days. If these amendments are passed by the Parliament, then the records of Rajiv Gandhi and Narasimha Rao will be broken. During his rule, Rajiv Gandhi made 12 constitutional amendments and Narasimha Rao made 11 constitutional amendments. In the last 12 years, the Modi government has already made 8 changes in the Constitution with the help of 2/3rd majority. In April this year, the government had approached the Parliament to make three amendments, but due to lack of two-thirds majority, all three amendments could not be made in the Constitution.
However, in the matter of constitutional amendment, Modi government is still far behind the governments of Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Most constitutional amendments were made during Indira Gandhi’s government.
Why is the Constitution amended?
Article 368 explains in detail about constitutional amendment. According to this, the Constitution can be changed keeping in view the political and social circumstances. However, to make changes in the Constitution, 2-thirds majority is necessary. The government can make changes in any part of the Constitution except the fundamental rights.
What are the details of 5 constitutional amendments?
1. Delimitation Bill: The government wants to make a constitutional amendment regarding the delimitation of Lok Sabha seats. This was attempted in April, but was not successful.
2. Women Reservation: Under the new delimitation, the government wants to implement women’s reservation. For this, there is a provision of 33 percent reservation for the total seats of Lok Sabha.
3. One Country One Election: Modi government also wants to pass the Constitution Amendment Bill regarding one country and one election. Due to this, assembly and Lok Sabha elections will be held simultaneously in the country.
4. Judicial and Constitutional Reforms: The government also wants to make constitutional reforms like UCC through amendment. Many states like Uttarakhand have passed UCC bill.
5. Law regarding resignation: The government wants to bring rules through a constitutional amendment. Under this, if PM-CM or minister goes to jail, he will have to resign within 30 days.
How many constitutional amendments were made in which government?
Between 1952 and 1964, the Constitution was amended 16 times during the government of Jawaharlal Nehru. The Nehru government added reasonable restrictions on freedom of expression through constitutional amendments. Apart from this, constitutional amendments were also made to decide the relations between the state and the centre.
After Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri was appointed Prime Minister. A constitutional amendment was made once during his government. Similarly, in the government of Indira Gandhi, changes were made within the Constitution maximum 30 times. Indira made constitutional amendments to change the fundamental rights.
After the end of the Emergency, Morarji Desai was appointed Prime Minister. He made 2 constitutional amendments. Morarji restored the powers of judges through constitutional amendment. After Indira, Rajiv Gandhi was appointed Prime Minister. He made changes within the Constitution 12 times. Rajiv made laws regarding defection through constitutional amendments.
Constitutional amendments were made 5 times during VP Singh’s government. After this, Narasimha Rao’s government also changed the Constitution 11 times. Chandrashekhar changed the constitution once.
Changes were made within the Constitution 14 times during the rule of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Similarly, a total of 6 constitutional changes took place during the Manmohan Singh government. Constitutional changes have been made 8 times so far in the Modi government.
Speaking in Parliament in 2024, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said – Congress made more than 70 constitutional changes in its 55 years of rule. We have made only 23 changes in 16 years of rule.
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