RSS wants to clear confusion, say scholars

Mumbai: The RSS wants the words ‘Socialism’ and ‘Secularism’ to be removed from the preamble of the Constitution, because they are creating confusion and contradiction, if right-wing scholars are to be believed.

“While the word ‘Socialism’ has lost its meaning, the word ‘Secularism’ is creating unnecessary contradiction in the various provisions of the constitution,” said Durganand Jha of the Centre for Policy Analysis at Patna, while hailing the statement made by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale for a need to debate the issue of removal of the term ‘Secularism’ and ‘Socialism’ from the preamble of the Indian Constitution.

“The statement has rightly caught attention of the nation. It needs to be thoroughly debated and acted upon,” Jha opined.

In 2020, a petition challenging validity of the words in the Preamble, by Adv. Balram Singh, backed by former Law Minister Subramaniam Swamy and Adv. Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, was struck down by the apex court. When asked about it, Ravindra Mahajan of Ekatma Vikas Samiti in Mumbai, pointed out that mere rejection of the petition doesn’t mean the issue is wrong. “It probably needs to be put before the Supreme Court in a proper manner,” he said.

Jha, however, pointed out that the use of word ‘secular’ in the preamble of the Constitution leads to contradiction with respect to many of its provisions. “Validity of the word will have to be challenged on this ground,” he said.

Inclusion of the term ‘Secularism’ is inconsistent with various provisions of the Constitution of India. Eg. Article 14, 15 and 16 of the constitution give ‘equal rights’, ‘right to equal opportunity’ and ‘prohibit discrimination on grounds of religion, caste, race, sex and place of birth’. While Article 26 bestows to all religionists ‘equal rights in managing their religious affairs’, Article 25 gives an exclusive right to the minorities to ‘propagating religion’ and Articles 28, 29 and 30 give circumstantial advantage to Christianity and Islam where religious conversions accepted. “These articles put Hindu in a disadvantageous situation as it is not a proselytising religion,” Jha said and added that inclusion of word ‘Secularism’ in the preamble of the Constitution of India made those Articles of Indian Constitution which give special rights to the minorities, inconsistent with the preamble of the Constitution. “And hence the word needs to be removed.”

Jha also pointed out that, the word ‘Socialism’ was inducted into the preamble of the Constitution, at around the same time when China, the epitome of ‘Socialism’, was actually embracing capitalism. He also said that the people of India have to decide whether they support the preamble approved by Ambedkar, Nehru, Sardar Patel or the preamble adulterated by Indira Gandhi.

Jha also said that, if something is undone which was done during an emergency when the country was on tenterhooks, and all opposition leaders were in prison, it will be a true homage to the struggle of those who fought and spent months in prison to keep the flame of democracy alive in the country.

"The Preamble of a constitution is not changeable. But this Preamble was changed by the 42nd Constitution (Amendment) Act of 1976. And in the process, if you deeply reflect, we are giving wings to existential challenges. It is nothing but belittling the civilisational wealth and knowledge of this country for thousands of years. It is a sacrilege of the spirit of Sanatan. These words have been added as nasoor (festering wound). These words will create upheaval."

Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President