no-plan-to-remove-socialist-secular-from-constitution-govt

The Central government has informed the Parliament that as of now, it has no plan to reconsider or remove the words 'socialist' and 'secular' from the preamble of the Constitution.It clarified that no formal process has been initiated to change these provisions.

 

 

Pertinently, the opposition parties under INDIA bloc raised a lot clamour last month over the issue and Congress in particular hit out at the government on a number of occasions contending that government had plans to remove socialist and secular from the constitution. The question put in the Parliament is seen one in that direction. However, the government has put all of those speculations and assumptions at rest. 

 

"The government’s official stand is that there is no current plan or intention to reconsider or remove the words "socialism" and "secularism" from the preamble of the constitution. Any discussions regarding amendments to the preamble would require thorough deliberation and broad consensus, but as of now, the government has not initiated any formal process to change these provisions," the government stated in a written reply in the Upper House.

 

The government cleared its stand in response to a question by Samajwadi Party (SP) Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman in Rajya Sabha. The MP had asked whether it is a fact that government is moving forward to reconsider the use of the words socialism and secularism in the Preamble of the Constitution, whether an atmosphere is being created by the office-bearers of some social organisations in this regard; and the stand of government regarding reconsideration of use of words socialism and secularism in the preamble of the Constitution.

 

The Ministry of Law and Justice replied that while there may be discussions or debates in certain public or political circles, no formal decision or proposal has been announced by the government regarding amendments to these terms."Regarding the atmosphere created by office bearers of some social organizations, it is possible that certain groups are expressing opinions or advocating for reconsideration of these words. Such activities can create a public discourse or atmosphere around the issue, but this does not necessarily reflect the official stance or actions of the government," the ministry said.

 

Further, it referred to the Supreme Court's decision in the case titled Dr Balram Singh and Others v Union of India and Another where the top court recognised the Parliament's power to amend the preamble.