Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, on Sunday, said that the constitution of India allowed citizens to dissent but it ‘didn’t permit destruction’ of the country.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Jaitley said, “Constitution of India allows complete freedom to dissent but does not permit destruction of the nation. Ideology of nationalism guides our belief and direction and we completely support freedom of expression.”
Commenting on the controversy over Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Jaitley said that the topic was beyond any debate.
He said, “We believe this is one issue on which there should be no debate. People in India should have absolutely no difficulty as far as this slogan is concerned,best example you saw at Eden Gardens yesterday.”
The topic has gained widespread controversy after the AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that he was against chanting the slogan to prove his patriotism as reportedly asked by the RSS, the BJP’s ideological mentorl, chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Answering a question on the ongoing political crisis in Uttarakhand, the finance minister said, “There is a political crisis in Uttarakhand but a majority of MLAs say that they voted against finance bill and speaker says it is passed. To consider a failed bill passed, it is happening first time in the country.”
The BJP has come under sharp criticism for its alleged role in indulging in horse-trading by luring legislators from the ruling Congress party to topple the current government led by Harish Rawat. The BJP has denied the allegation.