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On Wednesday, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury expressed concerns over the alleged attack on the Constitution, stating that the new copies of the Constitution handed to the politicians on the opening day of the new Parliament building lack the words 'socialist' and 'secular'.
"He stated that the new copies of the Constitution, which were given to us today (19th September), lack the words 'socialist secular', and we held them in our hands and entered (the new Parliament building)."
Congress' claim
“The Preamble of the Constitution in the copy that we carried to the new building does not include the words secular and socialist. They have been cleverly removed…this is a serious matter and we will raise this issue,” he told reporters.
Chowdhury doubts the government's intention. He said, "They are suspiciously intending to do it cleverly. It concerns me. I tried to raise this issue but I did not get an opportunity."
Congress leader Chowdhury further said on the controversy, "Someone added the words after an amendment in 1976. We become concerned if they give us the Constitution today without those words. Their intention is suspicious. They have cleverly done it. It concerns me. I tried to raise this issue, but I didn't get an opportunity."
Congress MP KC Venugopal commented on the controversy, "How can it be? Their actions reflect what is in their mind. They have amended the Preamble and the Constitution. They deliberately avoided the important words Socialist and Secular in the Preamble. This sends a clear message from the Government... It is a truly unfortunate situation."
BJP's reply
The Centre, represented by Union Minister of Law and Justice of India, Arjun Ram Meghwal, emphasized that the Constitution in question is the original version, and the additional words were incorporated later through an amendment. "This is how the Constitution was initially drafted. Subsequent amendments added these words. Our spokesperson has already addressed this matter," stated Minister Meghwal.
Another BJP Member of Parliament supported the Minister's stance on the constitution controversy. "It was not implied that this is the amended version. This represents the original Constitution as it was when initially adopted. The terms 'socialist secular' were not present at that time...The relevance of the term 'socialist' today is debatable. This controversy is unnecessary," MP Sushil Modi expressed.
First, what is Preamble of the Constitution?
"We, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, solemnly commit to establishing India as a SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC, ensuring:
JUSTICE, encompassing social, economic, and political dimensions;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship;
EQUALITY in status and opportunity;
and to foster among all citizens,
FRATERNITY, guaranteeing individual dignity and national unity.
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY, on this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, we HEREWITH ADOPT, ENACT, AND BESTOW UPON OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION."
During the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1976, the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution inserted the terms 'socialist' and 'secular' into the preamble. The addition of the words secular and socialist aimed to reassure the nation that underrepresented groups would be safe and the moneyed class would not dominate the economy.
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