Guwahati, 21st May: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has responded sharply after receiving a pocketbook version of the Constitution of India from Congress leader Pawan Khera. Sarma criticized the Congress for what he called their fixation on the miniature edition of the Constitution.
In a pointed remark, Sarma asked Khera to send him an original copy of the Constitution, complete with the Shantiniketan artwork by Nandalal Bose and his team, which reflects India’s rich heritage and cultural legacy. Sarma implied that the Congress has forgotten the original document and is more interested in the “red version” of the pocketbook Constitution.
Expressing his views on the microblogging site X, Sarma stated, “Thank you Mr Khera. However, could you please send me an original copy of the Indian Constitution that includes the artwork created by Sri Nandalal Bose and his team from Shantiniketan, depicting our rich heritage and cultural legacy? I have heard that Congress has already forgotten the original copy of the Constitution and is more interested in the RED pocketbook version.”
This exchange followed Khera’s letter to the Assam CM, written on May 20, in which he called out Sarma for his “derogatory” remarks about the Constitution of India. Khera also sent the pocketbook version of the Constitution to Sarma, urging him to read it and keep it in his handbag.
On X, Khera noted, “After listening to the derogatory remarks of the Chief Minister of Assam about the Constitution of India, today I sent him a pocketbook version of the Constitution of India. I also requested him to read it and always keep it in his handbag.”
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about respect for the Constitution and the symbolic significance of its different editions.