Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called for the removal of the words "secularism" and "socialism" from the Indian Constitution, arguing they are legacies of the Emergency and not in line with India's original vision. Speaking at the launch of the book 'Emergency Diaries: Years That Forged a Leader' at the BJP headquarters in Guwahati, Sarma said these words were not part of the original Constitution and were inserted by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the Emergency in 1976.

Sarma believes that "secularism" goes against the Indian concept of "Sarva Dharma Sambhava," which emphasizes equal respect for all religions, and that "socialism" was never part of India's original economic vision, which focused on "Sarvodaya Antyodaya" (welfare of all and upliftment of the marginalized). He urged the Central Government to remove these words to restore the Preamble to its original form, as envisioned by the Constitution's architects, including Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

He argued that the Indian concept of secularism is about being "positively aligned" and inclusive, rather than neutral. He said that after taking oath, people go to temples and Mecca, and the nation cannot be neutral but inclusive. He questioned how he could be secular as a "hardcore Hindu," or how a Muslim person could be secular as a "hardcore Muslim person".

Sarma claimed that "socialism" and "secularism" are Western concepts that have no place in Indian civilization. He said the Western concept of secularism was inserted by people who view it from a Western angle and needs to be struck off from the Preamble. He added that the Western concept of socialism was also imposed by Gandhi. Sarma stated that the Indian economic principle was based on "trusteeship" and helping the marginalized.

Sarma's call echoes a recent suggestion by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to reconsider the inclusion of "socialist" and "secular" in the Constitution. He compared removing the legacies of the Emergency to Prime Minister Modi's efforts to erase the legacy of colonial rule. Sarma criticized Indira Gandhi for not only violating democratic principles but also undermining the spirit of the Constitution by amending the Preamble. He said the Emergency was not a result of any national or international crisis but a calculated political conspiracy by Indira Gandhi to protect her position.

The book launch and Sarma's statements have sparked debate about the place of "secularism" and "socialism" in the Indian Constitution. The words "socialist," "secular," and "integrity" were inserted into the Preamble through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment in 1976. The amendment changed the description of India from a "sovereign, democratic republic" to a "sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic". The Supreme Court had earlier dismissed a plea challenging the inclusion of these words.