Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has reignited the debate surrounding the inclusion of the words "socialist," "secular," and "integrity" in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, asserting that their addition during the Emergency era represents a "festering wound". Speaking at a book launch in Delhi, Dhankhar declared the Preamble as the "soul of the Constitution" and emphasized its fundamental and unalterable nature. He highlighted that India stands alone in having amended its Preamble, a point he views with considerable concern.
Dhankhar's remarks follow closely on the heels of similar sentiments expressed by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, who questioned the legitimacy of incorporating "socialist" and "secular" into the Preamble. Hosabale argued that these terms were not part of the original Constitution drafted by B.R. Ambedkar and were forcibly introduced during a period marked by authoritarian rule and suppressed civil liberties. He advocated for a national discussion on whether these words should remain in the Preamble.
The Vice President framed the alteration of the Preamble during the Emergency as a "travesty of justice" and "sacrilege to the spirit of Sanatana". He argued that this act "betray[ed] the mindset of the framers of the Constitution" and diminished the country's rich civilizational heritage. Dhankhar urged the nation to reflect on the original intentions of the Constitution's architects and the implications of amending such a foundational document. He said that these words will create upheaval and are giving wings to existential challenges.
Several leaders within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Union ministers Jitendra Singh and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, have echoed the call for a review of these terms, suggesting that any "right-thinking citizen" would support such an endeavor. Echoing similar sentiments, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that secularism and socialism are western concepts that have no place in Indian civilization, and should be removed from the Constitution.
However, the opposition, led by the Congress party, has strongly condemned these views, accusing the BJP and RSS of attempting to subvert the Constitution and transform India into a Hindu Rashtra guided by the Manusmriti. Rahul Gandhi asserted that the RSS seeks to strip marginalized communities of their rights and enslave them by undermining the Constitution. Opposition parties have decried the questioning of the preamble as "political opportunism" and a "deliberate assault" on the Constitution's fundamental values.
The debate over the Preamble amendments has also opened discussions regarding the historical context of the Emergency, which Vice President Dhankhar has described as the "darkest period for the Constitution of the country". During this period, fundamental rights were suspended, and many opposition leaders were imprisoned. Dhankhar and others argue that making significant changes to the Constitution during such a time raises serious questions about the legitimacy and propriety of those amendments.
