Constitution Day 2026: Political leaders from across party lines shared tributes to India’s Constitution on November 26, marking the annual celebration of its adoption in 1949, though their messages reflected divergent perspectives on constitutional values and challenges.
PM Modi’s Message on Constitution Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized strengthening constitutional values through citizen action.
On Constitution Day, wrote a letter to my fellow citizens in which I’ve highlighted about the greatness of our Constitution, the importance of Fundamental Duties in our lives, why we should celebrate becoming a first time voter and more…https://t.co/i6nQAfeGyu
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 26, 2025
“On Constitution Day, we pay tribute to the framers of our Constitution. Their vision and foresight continue to motivate us in our pursuit of building a Viksit Bharat. Our Constitution gives utmost importance to human dignity, equality and liberty. While it empowers us with rights, it also reminds us of our duties as citizens, which we should always try to fulfil. These duties are the foundation of a strong democracy,” PM Modi stated on X.
“Let us reiterate our commitment to strengthening constitutional values through our actions,” Modi added.
Opposition’s Protective Pledge
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, characterized the Constitution as fundamental protection for vulnerable populations. “The promise is that s/he will get equality, justice and respect, irrespective of religion or caste, region or language, or whether s/he is rich or poor,” he said.
Gandhi positioned constitutional protection as his personal responsibility: “The Constitution is the shield of the poor and the oppressed, their power and every citizen’s voice. As long as the Constitution is safe, every citizen is safe. Let us pledge that we won’t allow any attack on the Constitution. Protecting it is my duty, and I will stand in the way of every blow directed at it.”
Federal Structure Concerns
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee honored the Constitution’s framers, including chief architect BR Ambedkar, while expressing concerns about current challenges. “I believe our Constitution is the backbone of our nation that masterfully weaves together the immense diversity of our cultures, languages, and communities into an integrated, federal whole,” she stated.
In an apparent reference to the central government, Banerjee warned: “Now, when democracy is at stake, when secularism is in an endangered situation, when federalism is being bulldozed, at this critical time, we must protect the valuable guidance that our Constitution provides.”
The statements reflect ongoing political tensions regarding constitutional interpretation and implementation across India’s political spectrum.
