Prime Minister Narendra Modi Invokes Architect of Indian Constitution to Extend Lockdown Until 3 May

New Delhi (Sputnik): Seventy years ago, India, newly liberated from 200 years of British rule, unveiled a constitution for the world’s largest democracy. The constitution is the bedrock of India’s fundamental political code, structure, powers and government duties, which also enumerates the basic rights, principles and duties of its nationals.

On Tuesday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the nationwide lockdown until 3 May, he boosted the morale of 1.37 billion Indian citizens by citing the first line of the Indian Constitution – “We the people of India” and linking it with the spirit of “defeating the deadly coronavirus pandemic” in the country.

Significantly, 14 April marks the birthday of Bhim Rao Ambekar, who headed a panel of experts to draft a new constitution and is considered to be its main architect.

The recipient of India’s highest civilian honour – the Bharat Ratna – Ambedkar is known for his dedication towards achieving equality and respect for the underprivileged and suppressed classes of Indian society – who were once also infamously referred to as the “untouchables”. He was also sworn in as independent India’s first law minister.

Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Being Sworn In as Independent India’s First Law Minister #AmbedkarJayanti pic.twitter.com/BowtpKrXBH

— indianhistorypics (@IndiaHistorypic) April 14, 2020

​Usually, the day is marked and observed as a public holiday in India, but under the current circumstance Prime Minister Modi along with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other political leaders joined netizens in expressing gratitude towards Dr Ambedkar on social networking platforms.

With over 197,000 mentions already, #AmbedkarJayanti is trending on Twitter in India.

बाबासाहेब डॉ. भीमराव अम्बेडकर को उनकी जयंती पर सभी देशवासियों की ओर से विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि। #AmbedkarJayanti pic.twitter.com/ddDiD8HAe5

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2020

बाबासाहेब अम्बेडकर जी की जयंती के शुभअवसर पर उन्हें पुष्पांजलि अर्पित की। pic.twitter.com/BddW9jy0n9

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 14, 2020

​सभी देशवासियों को बोद्धिसत्व,भारत रत्न,अर्थशास्त्री,शिक्षाविद्,दार्शनिक,लेखक,समाजशास्त्री,शिक्षाविद्,धर्मशास्त्री, इतिहासविद्, हम सबके प्रेरणास्रोत बाबा साहब डॉ. भीमराव अंबेडकर जी के 129 वे जन्मदिवस पर आपको और आपके पूरे परिवार को बहुत बहुत मंगल कामनाएं। #जयभीम #Ambedkarjayanti pic.twitter.com/gChJMjTQFt

— Chandra Shekhar Aazad (@BhimArmyChief) April 13, 2020

Happy Birth Anniversary to the Father Of Modern India.
His contribution to India is unparalleled & unfathomable.
His knowledge & vision is unmatched.
Long Live Babasaheb 💙
Jai Bhim Jai Savvidhan 🇮🇳#AmbedkarJayanti pic.twitter.com/eaISPmbFtb

— Atharva (@DangeAtharva) April 14, 2020​

Tribute to the nation builder.🙏💙#AmbedkarJayanti #DrBabasahebAmbedkar #WorldEqualityDay pic.twitter.com/58qfyF6b1O

— Swarup lahupanchang (@the_true_nature) April 14, 2020

​Invoking the spirit of unity, Prime Minister Modi has urged people to be cautious and safe during this global health crisis.

On 25 March, Prime Minister Modi had first declared a 21-day national shutdown as a preventive measure to control the spread of  the coronavirus, but now since the number of positive COVID-19 cases has crossed the 10,000 mark, the central government has decided to maintain isolation and social distancing in India.

According to India’s federal Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases in the country is 10,393. The death toll currently stands at 339.