Kharge: Social Justice is Soul of Constitution, Not Just a Slogan

• Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized that social justice is the soul of the Constitution, urging concrete action beyond mere words for the upliftment of Dalits and weaker sections.
• He highlighted an incident in Odisha where an Anganwadi center was boycotted for three months because a Dalit woman prepared food, calling it an insult to constitutional values.
• Kharge stated that such discrimination at Anganwadis sows seeds of division in children and weakens the spirit of the right to education (Article 21A) and the state's responsibility for nutrition (Article 47).
• He cited other incidents of caste discrimination, including a tribal laborer in Madhya Pradesh, a Dalit government employee in Gujarat, and institutional discrimination in Chandigarh, indicating widespread prejudice.
• Kharge urged the government for swift, impartial investigations, strict action against culprits, and awareness campaigns in institutions like Anganwadis to promote equality and social harmony.