In a formal clarification before the Rajya Sabha, the Union Government has categorically stated that it has no intention to initiate any legal or constitutional process to remove the words "secular" and "socialist" from the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. The response came during Question Hour, addressing concerns raised by Member of Parliament Ramji Lal Suman regarding recent discourse created by certain social groups advocating for the reconsideration of these terms.
Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge), Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, responding to Starred Question No. 54, informed the House that although some office-bearers of social organisations may be voicing opinions or seeking a public debate around the relevance of "secularism" and "socialism", such discussions do not reflect any official position or policy of the Government. “No formal decision or proposal has been announced by the Government regarding amendments to these terms,” he reiterated.
The Minister clarified that while the government acknowledges the presence of divergent views in the public domain, any alteration to the Preamble would require comprehensive deliberation and wide political consensus. As of now, the government has not initiated any formal steps towards reconsideration or amendment.
Referencing the Apex Court’s judgment in Dr. Balram Singh v. Union of India (2024), Meghwal noted that the Apex Court dismissed all petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the 42nd Amendment, which inserted the terms "secular" and "socialist" into the Preamble in 1976. The Court, reaffirming its earlier jurisprudence in Kesavananda Bharati and S.R. Bommai, held that these terms are intrinsic to the Constitution’s basic structure.
In its judgment, the Court emphasized that “secularism” is closely intertwined with the right to equality and religious neutrality of the State, while “socialism” in the Indian context denotes a commitment to socio-economic justice, without obstructing private enterprise or the right to trade guaranteed under Article 19(1)(g). The Apex Court also observed that these values have attained constitutional legitimacy and public acceptance over decades.
While there were past attempts during the 44th Amendment to undo certain provisions of the 42nd Amendment, the terms “secular” and “socialist” were left untouched and continue to remain a part of the constitutional identity.
The government's firm stance and the Apex Court’s endorsement further reinforce that any attempt to dilute these foundational principles would be inconsistent with the established constitutional framework and democratic ethos.
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