"Constitution not in danger, Congress is": Union Minister Athawale reacts to Rahul Gandhi's remarks

New Delhi [India], December 6 : Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Saturday launched a sharp rebuttal to Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's recent "Constitution under threat" remarks, saying Gandhi's claims are "baseless and without fact" and asserted that "the constitution is not in danger, rather the Congress party is".
Speaking to ANI, Athawale said, "The Constitution is not in danger; it is the Congress Party that is in danger. I do not believe there is any threat to our Constitution. In fact, it is being further strengthened under Prime Minister Modi's leadership."
"Rahul Gandhi's statements are baseless and without fact," Athawale added.
This came after Rahul Gandhi said that the "Constitution of every Indian is under threat" after paying tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on the occasion of Mahaparinirvan Diwas.
Speaking to reporters, the Congress leader said, "Ambedkar ji is an icon. He showed a path to the entire country, he gave us the Constitution. So, we remember him and protect his ideas and the Constitution...The Constitution of every Indian is under threat. We protect it, the citizens protect it."
Later, in a post on X, the Congress leader reiterated his commitment to defending constitutional values.
"Humble tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas. His timeless legacy of equality, justice and human dignity strengthens my resolve to defend the Constitution and inspires our collective struggle for a more inclusive, compassionate India," he wrote.
Earlier today, the 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas was commemorated by Dr Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) on behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, at Prerna sthal, Parliament House Campus, near the statue of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
In the course of time, the entire event was opened up to the public to pay their obeisance at the feet of the life-size statue of Babasaheb Dr B.R. Ambedkar at the Parliament House Lawn.
During the event, the Dr Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) also maintained a stall to assist with the storage of followers' belongings. At the same time, they paid their floral tribute to Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in a befitting manner with the confluence of Buddhist chants performed by 25 Buddhist Monks.
The establishment of the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) aimed to propagate the ideals of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The autonomous organisation was formed on March 24, 1992, and functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. The DAF was tasked with implementing programs and initiatives to promote the vision and philosophy of Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar on a national scale.