Latest news with #Emergency
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘No move to drop secular, socialist from Preamble'
The government has not initiated any formal legal or constitutional process to remove the words 'socialist' and 'secular' from the Preamble of the Constitution, the Union law and justice ministry informed Parliament on Thursday. Responding to a question by Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman, Union minister of state (independent charge) for law and justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said that no formal decision or proposal has been made on the matter. The remarks come amid ongoing calls by some public figures and BJP leaders to revisit the inclusion of the two terms, added during the Emergency in 1976. (PTI) Meghwal acknowledged the 2024 Supreme Court observation that socialism reflects India's welfare state status and secularism forms part of the Constitution's basic structure. He underlined the difference between public discourse and official policy, stating, 'Regarding the atmosphere created by office bearers of some social organisations, it is possible that certain groups are expressing opinions or advocating for reconsideration of these words… but this does not necessarily reflect the official stance or actions of the government.' The remarks come amid ongoing calls by some public figures and BJP leaders to revisit the inclusion of the two terms, added during the Emergency in 1976. Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar called the insertion a 'betrayal' of the Constitution's original vision. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma echoed similar sentiment. And Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said a debate should be held on the relevance of the two terms. 'During the Emergency, the country had no functioning Parliament, no rights, no judiciary and yet these two words were added,' he said at an event in Delhi on June Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also criticised the terms as not being a reflection of India's cultural values. The remarks sparked sharp political pushback. 'The Constitution irks them because it speaks of equality, secularism and justice,' Rahul Gandhi said on X. Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP and RSS of pushing for a new Constitution, despite electoral rejection of such ideas. 'The RSS and BJP have repeatedly given the call for a new Constitution. This was (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's campaign cry during the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The people decisively rejected this cry... yet demands for changing the basic structure of the Constitution continue,' he said. Meghwal concluded in his response that any amendment to the Preamble would require broad consensus, and that no such process is currently underway. '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.'
NDTV
4 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
No Plan To Remove 'Socialist' And 'Secular' From Preamble: Law Minister
New Delhi: Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that although some groups are advocating for the removal of the words "socialist" and "secular" from the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, the government has no current plan or intention to pursue such a move. Responding in writing to a question raised by Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman, Mr Meghwal clarified: 'The Indian government has not formally initiated any legal or constitutional process to remove the words 'socialist' and 'secular' from the Preamble. 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.' His statement follows recent remarks by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, who in June called for a national discussion on whether these words, added during the Emergency via the 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976), should remain in the Preamble. Mr Meghwal distinguished the government's stance from the views expressed by leaders of social organisations. 'It is possible that some groups are expressing opinions or advocating for a reconsideration of these words. Such discussions may contribute to public discourse, but they do not reflect the official position or actions of the government,' he said. Citing a Supreme Court ruling from November 2024 in Dr Balram Singh & Others vs Union of India, Minister Meghwal said: 'The court clarified that 'socialism' in the Indian context signifies a welfare state and does not impede private sector growth, while 'secularism' is integral to the Constitution's basic structure.' Reiterating the government's position, he added: 'There is no current plan or intent to reconsider or remove the words from the Preamble. Any such constitutional amendment would require broad political consensus and detailed deliberation — and at present, no such process has been initiated.'
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘No move to drop secular, socialist from Preamble': Govt amid calls to revisit inclusion of terms
The government has not initiated any formal legal or constitutional process to remove the words 'socialist' and 'secular' from the Preamble of the Constitution, the Union law and justice ministry informed Parliament on Thursday. Union Minister Meghwal acknowledged the 2024 Supreme Court observation that socialism reflects India's welfare state status and secularism forms part of the Constitution's basic structure. Responding to a question by Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman, Union minister of state (independent charge) for law and justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said that no formal decision or proposal has been made on the matter. Meghwal acknowledged the 2024 Supreme Court observation that socialism reflects India's welfare state status and secularism forms part of the Constitution's basic structure. He underlined the difference between public discourse and official policy, stating, 'Regarding the atmosphere created by office bearers of some social organisations, it is possible that certain groups are expressing opinions or advocating for reconsideration of these words… but this does not necessarily reflect the official stance or actions of the government.' The remarks come amid ongoing calls by some public figures and BJP leaders to revisit the inclusion of the two terms, added during the Emergency in 1976. Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar called the insertion a 'betrayal' of the Constitution's original vision. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma echoed similar sentiment. And Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said a debate should be held on the relevance of the two terms. 'During the Emergency, the country had no functioning Parliament, no rights, no judiciary and yet these two words were added,' he said at an event in Delhi on June 26. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also criticised the terms as not being a reflection of India's cultural values. The remarks sparked sharp political pushback. 'The Constitution irks them because it speaks of equality, secularism and justice,' Rahul Gandhi said on X. Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP and RSS of pushing for a new Constitution, despite electoral rejection of such ideas. 'The RSS and BJP have repeatedly given the call for a new Constitution. This was (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's campaign cry during the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The people decisively rejected this cry... yet demands for changing the basic structure of the Constitution continue,' he said. Meghwal concluded in his response that any amendment to the Preamble would require broad consensus, and that no such process is currently underway. '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.'
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Secular' and 'socialist' will remain in Preamble: Government
'Secular' & 'socialist' will remain in Preamble: Government NEW DELHI: Taking a position different from that of the RSS , govt on Thursday said it does not intend to drop 'socialist' and 'secular' from the preamble of the Constitution 'The government has not formally initiated any legal or constitutional process to remove the words 'socialist' and 'secular' from the Preamble of the Constitution. 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,' law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal told the Rajya Sabha in a written response. This runs contrary to the RSS's stand articulated by its secretary general Dattatreya Hosbole that the twin additions to the Preamble made during the Emergency and by a Lok Sabha whose tenure was over should be scrubbed. This was endorsed by former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar who termed the two insertions as festering sores. 'Regarding the atmosphere created by office bearers of some social organisations, 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 govt,' the minister said, in what could be seen as a reference to the RSS leader's stand. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo Apart from the Emergency when fundamental rights were suspended, almost all the senior opposition leaders jailed and elections postponed, incorporation of 'secular' and 'socialist' in the Preamble have been opposed also because it was done by a Lok Sabha whose five year-tenure had already run out. The minister said the apex court had clarified that 'socialism' in the Indian context signifies a welfare state and does not impede private sector growth, while 'secularism' is integral to the Constitution's basic structure. The remarks of both Hosbole and Dhankhar were used by the critics to renew their charge that govt was conspiring to change the Constitution, something that had figured prominently in last year's 2024 polls.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Jayaprakash Narayan's statue unveiled; CM Yogi lauds his legacy
: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday unveiled a statue of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan at the newly renovated Asuran Crossing in Gorakhpur, praising his contributions to Indian democracy. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Addressing a gathering on the occasion, the CM described JP as a true Gandhian who lived for the nation, Indian values, and the spirit of democracy. "When it seemed that Indian democracy would collapse under Congress's dictatorship during the Emergency, Jayaprakash Narayan gave it new life," he said, adding, "He dedicated every moment of his life to the service of the nation and its people." Highlighting JP's roots in Sitab Diara village on UP-Bihar border, the CM recalled that the socialist leader had once demanded a health centre there in the memory of his wife Prabhavati Devi. "Despite ruling in his name, previous govts failed to fulfil that wish. We have now built a 100-bed health centre in his village and named it after her," he said. CM Yogi appreciated the efforts of Gorakhpur district administration, Gorakhpur Development Authority (GDA), and Nagar Nigam in completing the beautification work and restoring the statue at the intersection. He called the initiative a model for other cities to follow. The CM also paid tribute to late Dr Ashok Kumar, a senior professor from Gorakhpur University, who played a key role in installing JP's statue more than a decade ago. "Though he is no longer with us, his family's presence today is significant," he added.
