Congress slams RSS over Hosabale's 'review secular, socialist terms in Constitution' remark: 'Plotting against Ambedkar’s vision'

The Congress slammed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday after its general secretary, Dattatreya Hosabale, sought a review of the words 'socialist' and 'secular' in the preamble of the Constitution. Congress said it would strongly oppose any move to undermine the Constitution.

 

Calling the comment a "deliberate assault on the soul of our Constitution", Congress charged the Hindutva organisation had always been plotting against the Constitution. In a post on X, the opposition party said, "The RSS-BJP’s very ideology stands in direct opposition to the Indian Constitution. RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has openly called for the removal of the words 'socialist' and 'secular' from the Preamble. This is not just a suggestion—it is a deliberate assault on the soul of our Constitution."

 

Congress charged the RSS has been always plotting "to dismantle Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s vision for a just, inclusive and democratic India."

"When the Constitution was adopted, the RSS rejected it. They didn’t just oppose it—they burnt it," it said. 

 

During an event organised to commemorate the anniversary of the Emergency in Delhi on Thursday, RSS leader Hosabale called for a review of the terms  'socialist' and 'secular' in the preamble of the Constitution. He said they were never part of the draft prepared by B.R. Ambedkar.

 

 

" The preamble of the Constitution Baba Saheb Ambedkar made never had these words. During the Emergency, when fundamental rights were suspended, Parliament did not work, judiciary became lame, then these words were added." He added, "The preamble is eternal. Are the thoughts of socialism as an ideology eternal for India?" PTI reported quoting the RSS leader.

 

Recalling the excesses of Congress during the emergency, Hosabale said, "Those who did such things are today roaming around with the Constitution's copy. They have still not apologised... Apologise."

 

Congress said the BJP had to pay a heavy price after and it "declared openly" its intent to amend the Constitution. "They declared openly that they needed over 400 seats to rewrite the Constitution. But the people of India saw through their agenda—and gave them a resounding answer. Now, they have returned to their old playbook," the main opposition party charged.

India