A political storm has erupted after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale called for a review of the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble of the Constitution. His remarks, made during a program commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, have sparked a sharp reaction from the Congress, which has accused the RSS-BJP of conspiring to “destroy the Constitution”.

What Did the RSS Say?

Hosabale questioned the legitimacy of the terms ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’, claiming:

• These words were not originally part of the Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

• They were inserted during the Emergency in 1976, a time when fundamental rights were suspended, and Parliament and the judiciary were paralyzed.

• He urged a national debate on whether these words still reflect the nation’s foundational values.

Congress Reacts Strongly

The Congress Party launched a scathing counterattack, accusing the RSS and BJP of:

• Being anti-Constitutional and disrespecting the legacy of B.R. Ambedkar.

• Attempting to rewrite the Constitution to suit their ideological goals.

• Using majority power as a pretext for long-planned constitutional changes.

In an official post on X (formerly Twitter), Congress stated:

“RSS-BJP's thinking is anti-constitutional. Dattatreya Hosabale’s demand to remove ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ from the Preamble is part of a long-standing conspiracy to destroy Baba Saheb’s Constitution.”

The party further claimed that:

• The RSS opposed the Constitution when it was enacted and had burnt its pages in protest.

• During the recent Lok Sabha elections, BJP leaders openly hinted that a 400-seat majority was needed to alter the Constitution.

Why This Matters:

The words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ were added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, during the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. While they reflect key principles, their insertion has long been a point of contention between those who see them as essential to the nation’s character and others who view them as politically motivated additions.

Political Implications:

This debate comes at a time when constitutional values, federalism, and institutional integrity are key issues in the national discourse. The controversy is likely to deepen the ideological divide between the ruling BJP-RSS and opposition parties like Congress, especially with the shadow of the Emergency still shaping political narratives.