Debate Over 'Secular' and 'Socialist' in India's Constitution Gains Momentum
Senior VHP leader Milind Parande calls for a debate on retaining 'secular' and 'socialist' in the Indian Constitution's Preamble. He argues these words were added without widespread consensus during the Emergency. Parande suggests their inclusion wasn't supported by the original framers of the Constitution.
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Senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Milind Parande has urged for a national dialogue regarding the retention of the words 'secular' and 'socialist' in India's Constitution. He cites that these terms were added during the Emergency period without thorough debate.
Addressing media representatives, Parande, the national organizational secretary of VHP, asserted that the initial drafters of the Constitution, including B R Ambedkar and Dr Rajendra Prasad, did not favor the inclusion of 'secular' in the Preamble during the Constituent Assembly discussions.
The 42nd Amendment during the Emergency, according to Parande, introduced these terms when normal legislative processes were disrupted. He advocates for public discussions to ascertain public sentiment and believes that such deliberations will be constructive and insightful.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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- BR Ambedkar
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