Government's religion is 'India first' and Constitution its scripture: Narendra Modi

New Delhi: Striking a conciliatory note and advocating the "Idea of India", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said democracy gains strength when consensus is built and no party can impose its will no matter how big majority it possesses. In his one-hour long speech, Modi said 'India first' is the only religion of government and Constitution is its only scripture.

Reaching out to the opposition, Modi during the debate on Constitution of India said all past prime ministers and governments deserve credit for the country's growth and no one can say that past governments did not do anything.

"The growth of this country is because of all the Prime Ministers and all governments. We can never say that past government has done nothing. It is the demand of time that we make people aware of the sanctity and strength of our Constitution," Modi said.

Lauding Dr. BR Ambedkar for his contribution to the making of Constitution, the Prime Minister said that Babasaheb consumed all the poison and gave India 'amrit' in the form of the Constitution. He added that the spirit of the parliamentary debates and Constitution is not about one or two individuals, but about the entire country.

"If Constitution simply becomes a document to be followed by the government then democracy will suffer, that's why it needs to reach the roots. To strengthen our democracy, it is important for people to know about all the aspects of our Constitution. If we wish to maintain democracy, we must maintain and uphold constitutional measures. Constitution's purpose is not just to define three organs of the state, but also limit their authority," the Prime Minister said.

Modi also rejected the Congress contention that the NDA government was trying to deny due credit or undermining the role of leaders like Jawahar Lal Nehru, to whom he paid rich tributes.

The BJP-led NDA government on Friday dismissed Opposition charge of a threat to the Constitution and sought to turn tables on the Congress for imposing Emergency when fundamental rights were suspended.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu also insisted that the term 'secular' will remain part of the Preamble of the Constitution.

"Today there is no threat to the Constitution, no Emergency, there are no arrests (of political rivals), no supercession of judges. We must work together to strengthen the Constitution," Naidu said in the Lok Sabha.

Reaching out to the opposition, Modi during the debate on Constitution of India said all past prime ministers and governments deserve credit for the country's growth and no one can say that past governments did not do anything.

"The growth of this country is because of all the Prime Ministers and all governments. We can never say that past government has done nothing. It is the demand of time that we make people aware of the sanctity and strength of our Constitution," Modi said.

Lauding Dr. BR Ambedkar for his contribution to the making of Constitution, the Prime Minister said that Babasaheb consumed all the poison and gave India 'amrit' in the form of the Constitution. He added that the spirit of the parliamentary debates and Constitution is not about one or two individuals, but about the entire country.

"If Constitution simply becomes a document to be followed by the government then democracy will suffer, that's why it needs to reach the roots. To strengthen our democracy, it is important for people to know about all the aspects of our Constitution. If we wish to maintain democracy, we must maintain and uphold constitutional measures. Constitution's purpose is not just to define three organs of the state, but also limit their authority," the Prime Minister said.

The BJP-led NDA government on Friday dismissed Opposition charge of a threat to the Constitution and sought to turn tables on the Congress for imposing Emergency when fundamental rights were suspended.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu also insisted that the term 'secular' will remain part of the Preamble of the Constitution.

"Today there is no threat to the Constitution, no Emergency, there are no arrests (of political rivals), no supercession of judges. We must work together to strengthen the Constitution," Naidu said in the Lok Sabha.