CPI(M) MP Sandosh Kumar urges RSS to uphold secularism, socialism in Constitution
In his letter, Kumar criticised recent statements made by the senior RSS functionary, questioning these principles and arguing that they are essential to India's pluralistic and just society.
He also urged the RSS to formally accept the Constitution and cease actions that undermine its spirit.
'These principles are not arbitrary insertions but foundational ideals that emerged from the lived experiences of India's oppressed and the visionary imagination of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and many others who sought to create a just, pluralistic Republic. In a diverse country like ours, secularism ensures unity in diversity, while socialism promises justice and dignity to each of our citizens. To ridicule or reject these values is to negate the promise made to the people of India at the moment of our nation's liberation from colonial rule,' Kumar wrote.
The letter also criticises RSS's historical stance in contrast to CPI(M)'s progressive policies and its active role during the anti-colonial movement.
'While revolutionaries, peasants, workers, students, and patriotic forces, many of them from my party, the Communist Party of India, faced the British with courage and sacrifice, the RSS watched from the sidelines. We played an active role in the anti-colonial movement, participated in mass upsurges, and later, wholeheartedly supported the framing of our Constitution. We upheld the tricolour with pride, stood for land reforms, supported the abolition of privy purses, defended the public sector, fought for bank nationalisation, and worked to institutionalise social justice and labour rights. The RSS, in contrast, mocked these struggles, opposed the national flag, and undermined every progressive policy meant to democratise Indian society,' he stated.
The CPI(M) leader further questioned the RSS's commitment to the Constitution, referencing MS Golwalkar, the second Sarsanghchalak of the RSS, whose writings according to Sandosh allegedly viewed democracy and equality as alien to Indian culture and admired Nazi Germany.
'In this light, I wish to ask you plainly: does the RSS truly accept the Indian Constitution and its fundamental values? Or does it draw inspiration from the writings of M.S. Golwalkar, who referred to democracy and equality as alien to Indian culture and held Nazi Germany as a model? Why has the RSS never formally passed a resolution accepting the Constitution as it stands? Why do its members repeatedly undermine the Constitution, provoke communal sentiments, and promote historical distortions? India needs answers--not obfuscations,' Kumar demanded, calling for clarity and accountability.
Kumar urged Bhagwat to counsel RSS cadres to uphold the Constitution, warning against the dangers of division.
'It is time the RSS stop inflaming these debates for the sake of polarisation. Our people, Dalits, Muslims, Christians, Adivasis, backward castes, women, and the poor all deserve peace, dignity, and progress, not hatred and fear. I urge you to counsel your cadres to uphold the Constitution in letter and spirit. Let us all learn from history, including the history of Guru Golwalkar's favourite Nazi Germany: those who divide societies may win temporary power, but they leave behind enduring wreckage,' he concluded.
Earlier, RSS general secretary Hosabale suggested reconsidering the inclusion of the terms 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
Hosabale was addressing an event on the 50th anniversary of the emergency, held at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, jointly organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (under the Ministry of Culture) and the Ambedkar International Centre.
Speaking at the event, he emphasised that the emergency wasn't just a misuse of power but an attempt to crush civil liberties. Millions were imprisoned, and freedom of the press was suppressed.
He remarked that during the emergency, terms like 'socialist' and 'secular' were forcibly inserted into the Constitution -- a move that needs to be reconsidered. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
a minute ago
- NDTV
"Need To Relook At Our History": Economist As PM Offers Prayers At Iconic Cholapuram Temple
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Shiva temple, has put the spotlight on the Chola empire, especially on the time of Rajendra Chola, who stood tall when northern India was under Muslim rule. This, however, was not an area or a period that gets much attention -- the study of history being "Delhi-centric", said economist and historian Sanjeev Sanyal, pointing to the big takeaway from the Prime Minister's visit. "We need to begin to relook at our history and think about our great ancestors as a vigorous people," said Mr Sanyal, explaining that the popular conception of Indians as a passive people who are thankful to invaders -- from Muslim to British -- for bringing in technology, culture and cuisine. Our ancestors, he said, "built great temples, they built entire new cities when necessary". "This is a much more vigorous view of ourselves than, you know, we are waiting for somebody to conquer us and give us the railways," said Mr Sanyal, who is also the Principal Economic Advisor to the government. "These were vigorous, risk-taking people, happy to go to war with each other sometimes or with foreign invaders. But the point is, this were not a passive people. And instead, the only person in our history of our, you know, pre-Islamic history that we celebrate is Ashoka. And the only reason we celebrate him is because he was passive, because the empire collapsed under him," he added. He said he was "glad the Cholas are being celebrated," but they were not the only people who had left their mark on the history of southeast Asia. "Even Tamil Nadu itself has many others. The Pandyas, the Cheras, which are from next door in Kerala, the Pallavas, and then the Gajapatis and all the kings of Kalinga, who also had these great maritime linkages to Southeast Asia. The western coast of India has amazing history of links with the Roman Empire and so on," he said. Even in the north, there was more than what gets most attention. "Whether you have the Ahoms of Assam or the Pal dynasty and the Sen-s of Bengal or the Kadambas of Goa or the Chalukyas of Maharashtra and the Rashtrakutas, we all have amazing histories for every part of the country. But somehow we are obsessed with this Delhi-centric view that, you know, we should all be grateful to the Mughals for biryani," he added. The Cholapuram temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site built around 1030 by Rajendra Chola, stands as evidence of the affluence of the of the empire under him. It was built around two decades after the Tanjore temple and in the same style. The Prime Minister's visit comes ahead of next year's assembly election in Tamil Nadu, where the BJP is trying hard to carve out a niche.
New Indian Express
a minute ago
- New Indian Express
Kashmir is paradise on earth, sufsim promoted secularism: CJI Gavai
SRINAGAR: Praising Kashmir, the Chief Justice of India Justice B R Gavai on Sunday described Kashmir as 'Paradise on Earth' and said Sufism has truly promoted secularism in the country. While addressing the North Zone Regional Conference of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in Srinagar, the CJI started his address by famous Persian couplet, 'Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast' (If there is a paradise on Earth, it is here, it is here and it is only here).' 'I am happy that I am again getting the opportunity to meet you in Kashmir, which is known as paradise. Whenever I have visited Kashmir, I have got love from everybody,' he said. 'I feel like I have come to my hometown. I am thankful for all the love and affection showered on me. I have been to all parts of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh,' the CJI said. 'Kashmir's Valleys, mountains, rivers, streams and if we see these, it can be safely said that Kashmir is a true paradise.' The CJI spoke of Kashmir's 3,000-year-old civilisational heritage and rich culture. He credited Sufism for upholding the values of secularism written in our country's constitution. 'The Sufism has truly promoted secularism,' he asserted. Referring to secularism in J&K, the CJI said in Dargahs, every section of society including Hindus, Muslims or Sikhs go. 'Similarly, people of every religion go to Mandirs and Gurudwaras' CJO Gavai lauded efforts of NALSA and J&K Legal Services Authority for convening the interaction. He also reflected on the legal and administrative foundation laid in the region as early as 1846, calling it one of the oldest and most structured legal systems in India. 'From 1928 till before independence of the country, a high court had been established here and Maharajas here also respected the orders passed by the high court,' he said. 'In the country's Constitution, we have promised ourselves justice — political, social and economic. We are bound to see that justice is implemented in its true spirit. The legal fraternity needs to have a commitment to the true values of the Constitution,' he said. The CJI said that while Babasaheb B R Ambedkar brought about political justice by adopting the principle 'one person, one vote and one value', the author of the Constitution spoke about social compartmentalisation and the difficulty of moving from one compartment to another. 'Our society has been divided into different compartments. The entry from one compartment to another is nearly impossible. On the economic front, our wealth is concentrated in a few hands while the vast majority of the people find it difficult to have two meals a day. We will have to eliminate this inequality and bring about social and economic equality in the true sense. We have all to remain committed to this whether it is executive, legislature or judicial. We are bound to see to it that social and economic justice is implemented in true spirit in this country,' he said. Indirectly referring to the situation in Kashmir during the last 35 years, the CJI said there have been aberrations that need to be undone. 'There have been aberrations, but we have to work to remove these. This dialogue between judges and lawyers will give a new perspective. I am sure this programme will help in rebuilding the traditional and undivided Kashmir where all communities — Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs — used to live together,' he said. Asserting that lawyers and judges are like two wheels of the golden chariot of justice, CJI said, 'If you span one wheel, the efficacy of the entire chariot comes to a standstill. For this, lawyers and judges should work together to give justice to the people who live in the last village of this country. Unless people have the knowledge of their rights, the rights are of no use'. In a key policy suggestion, the CJI urged the Chief Justice of the J&K High Court to consider establishing a separate bench for the Union Territory of Ladakh, acknowledging the consistent demand raised by the Ladakh Bar. ===Ends===
Time of India
a minute ago
- Time of India
Badal condemns denial of entry to Sikh girl to Rajasthan exam centre for wearing kirpan, kara
Sukhbir Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal president, has condemned an incident in Jaipur where a Sikh girl was barred from a judicial services exam for wearing Sikh religious symbols. Badal cited a violation of constitutional rights and urged Prime Minister Modi to intervene, highlighting increasing disrespect towards Sikh identity. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal SAD ) president Sukhbir Badal on Sunday claimed a baptised Sikh girl from Punjab's Tarn Taran district was stopped from entering a centre for Rajasthan Judicial Services examination in Jaipur as she was wearing 'kara' and 'kirpan', both sacred articles of Sikh faith."This was a gross violation of her constitutional rights guaranteed under Article 25 and it denied her fundamental right to practise her religion. Article 25 of the Constitution specifically mentions 'kirpan' among other symbols of Sikh religion, which are exempt from any bar, even in flights," Badal said in a SAD chief expressed grave concern over "growing" incidents of disrespect and discrimination against the sacred symbols of Sikh religion, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the matter to put an end to this "painful chain of events" in the a letter, Badal drew Modi's attention to the latest incident in which Gurpreet Kaur from Tarn Taran was stopped from entering the examination centre in Jaipur."It is shocking that rules, if any, are framed by lower authorities flouting the sacred Constitution of India. The government of India should issue -- or, if necessary -- re-issue clear cut guidelines to all states and Union territories about the exemption to the inseparable articles of faith," Badal said in his letter to the prime Akali Dal chief said this was not a one-off incident but part of the ever-increasing number of examples of religious intolerance towards the uniqueness of Sikh a similar incident last year, two Sikh girls were stopped from appearing for the Rajasthan Judicial Services (RJS) exam in Jodhpur."Sikhs and their identity are inseparable and this was duly acknowledged and constitutionally mandated for compliance for all purposes in the country."But some officials at lower rungs deem themselves above the Constitution. This must stop as this vitiates communal harmony in the country," Badal also urged the Rajasthan High Court to provide the Sikh girl a special opportunity to appear for the RJS exam, ensuring that her right to uphold her faith is in the day, the SAD chief asked Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma to take strict action in the matter to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in his state.
