Will Hosabale's call to restore Preamble of Constitution to its original form ignite a Parliament debate?
The recent call by RSS Sarkaryavah (general secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale to review the inclusion of the words “socialist” and “secular” in the Indian Constitution’s Preamble has reignited a long-standing debate over the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, introduced nearly five decades ago during the Emergency. Support for Hosabale’s remarks came swiftly, with senior Union ministers and even Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar voicing agreement on the need to revisit the amendment. The Opposition, however, denounced the suggestion as yet another assault on the Constitution and its core values.
The issue may only escalate in the coming days, as it has the potential to become a political flashpoint in the already fractured relationship between the ruling dispensation and the Opposition. If BJP leaders continue to voice their support for the suggestion—which in the past has found ideological backing within—the issue is likely to resonate in Bihar ahead of the assembly polls due in October–November. Interestingly, in 2015, similar views expressed by the RSS chief on reservation were blown up into a major issue by non-BJP parties.
In August last year, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had raised the issue of the Preamble being dropped from NCERT textbooks. Responding to these accusations, BJP president and Union minister J.P. Nadda had said there was no such move to tamper with the Preamble.
Hosabale’s remarks came during an event on the Emergency, which the government is observing as Samvidhan Hatya Divas (Constitution Murder Day). The BJP government at the Centre and in the states has been organising events highlighting the excesses committed under the Congress government.
During the Emergency, prime minister Indira Gandhi carried out a comprehensive review of the Constitution through the 42nd Amendment, often termed the “mini Constitution”. It was during this amendment that the words secular and socialist were incorporated into the Preamble.
Though there have been demands to restore the Preamble to its original form, even the Supreme Court has upheld the amendments.
Hosabale’s words were a suggestion, but coming from a senior RSS functionary, they carry weight. Vice President Dhankhar’s endorsement came in strong words: “...These words have been added as nasoor (festering wound). These words will create upheaval. The addition of these words to the Preamble during the Emergency signals a betrayal of the mindset of the framers of the Constitution. It is nothing but belittling the civilisational wealth and knowledge of this country for thousands of years. It is sacrilege to the spirit of Sanatana.”
Though the debate has been initiated again in the 50th year of the Emergency, will it remain just a debate? The Opposition is likely to push the government for an answer during the upcoming session of Parliament, especially when Dhankhar, who is also the Rajya Sabha Chairman, has himself spoken against the amendment.
India