Rahul Gandhi says Constitutional values endangered under Modi govt, Amit Shah hits back

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched the Congress's "Save the Constitution" programme from New Delhi's Talkatora stadium.

The Congress chief used the platform to launch a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the country could burn, girls may be raped and the rights of scheduled castes and minorities be under a threat, but Modi was merely interested in becoming the prime minister again.

The twin burning issues of Dalit rights and women's safety were at the centre of Gandhi's all-out attack on Modi, as he asserted that constitutional values had been endangered under the Modi government and assured the people that his party would not let it happen. 

Institutions such as the Supreme Court were being trampled on and Parliament had been shut down by the government, he alleged, claiming that if he was allowed to speak for 15 minutes on a host of issues, including the Nirav Modi scam, Modi would "run away". 

Watch: Rahul Gandhi attacks BJP over Dalit 'atrocities' 

Highlights:

02:11 pm: Those who do not trust Army, SC, EC, EVMs, RBI are now saying democracy is in danger: Amit Shah on Rahul's speech

02:10 pm: Congress's 'Save the Constitution' campaign is farce seeking to perpetuate rule of dynasty over rule of democracy: BJP chief Amit Shah

01:13 pm: Congress party is the only party that can protect the women of our country from mishappenings like rapes: Rahul Gandhi

01:07 pm: Modi ji is only concerned about himself, he does not think about the upliftment of Dalits: Rahul Gandhi

01:03 pm: PM Modi remained silent on Unnao rape case, in which a BJP MLA is involved: Rahul Gandhi

01:02 pm: PM Modi afraid of standing in front of me, says Rahul Gandhi

01:00 pm: The Constituency of our country protects the rights of the citizens of our country and this has been provided to the country by Ambedkar ji and the Congress party: Rahul Gandhi

12:59 pm: Our PM thinks that a person who cleans public washrooms does it for spirituality, and not for earning a living: Rahul Gandhi

12:59 pm: I want to tell Modi ji that the Dalits of the country are well aware of his thinking towards them. Dalits know that the PM of our country does not think about their welfare: Rahul Gandhi

12:52 pm: Congress chief starts his speech with a quote from PM Modi's book

12:45 pm: Rahul Gandhi launches Congress' 'Save the Constitution' drive from New Delhi.

Congress's present and former Dalit lawmakers, those holding offices in zilla parishad, civic bodies and panchayat samitis, the party's office-bearers attached to its regional units will also attend the event, aimed at sensitising the attendees on the current state of affairs with regard to the community.

The attendees are expected to take the message forward, holding similar campaigns in states to reach out to the community members, sources said.

"The Constitution is under threat in the BJP regime. The community is being denied opportunities in spheres of education and jobs. The programme aims to highlight these issues nationwide," a party leader said.

Dalits form roughly 17 percent of the country's electorate. There are 84 parliamentary seats reserved for candidates belonging to the scheduled castes. The BJP had bagged nearly half of the seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, reflecting in its success in politically key states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.