New Delhi: Former Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari has raised concern over what he described as a weakening of constitutional values, especially fraternity and secularism, in public life.
In an interview with The Quint, Ansari said Parliament now functions for fewer days, dropping from around 100 sittings a year to nearly 50 or 60. He questioned how debate and discussion would take place with limited time. He stated both government and Opposition share responsibility for repeated disruptions and declining decorum.
Ansari also criticised the growing use of bulldozers in punitive actions. He asked whether the Constitution or Penal Code mentions bulldozers as instruments of justice. He stressed that if a person commits an offence, the legal system requires production before a court and a lawful sentence. He said extra legal measures weaken faith in due process.
Referring to incidents where religious gatherings face disruption, including Eid and Christmas prayers, Ansari said such acts reflect erosion of fraternity. He linked this climate to cases like the harassment of a Muslim shopkeeper in Uttarakhand and the controversy around Mohammad Deepak. He said individuals have the freedom to choose names for themselves or their businesses without fear.
Ansari expressed concern over delays in trials, stating that justice loses meaning when cases drag on for years. He also warned against rewriting textbooks to suit political narratives, arguing that young citizens must learn history as it occurred.
Rejecting claims that he might be the last Muslim to hold high office, Ansari said India remains diverse. He maintained that practising fraternity in daily life remains essential for national unity.
