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Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, has expressed concern over the absence of the words "socialist" and "secular" in the new copies of the Constitution distributed to Members of Parliament in the recently inaugurated Parliament building. These words are significant as they were added to the preamble of the Constitution through the 42nd Amendment in 1976 during the Emergency period. Chowdhury's remarks highlight questions about the government's intentions regarding these vital constitutional principles.

Missing words in the Preamble

On September 19th, the new copies of the Constitution were handed to MPs for use in the new Parliament building. However, Chowdhury noticed that the Preamble of these copies did not include the words "socialist" and "secular." He expressed his concern, emphasizing that these words were added to the Constitution in 1976 to uphold the principles of equality and non-discrimination. Their absence raises questions about the government's stance on these foundational values.

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Doubtful intentions

Chowdhury voiced his suspicion regarding the government's intentions, suggesting that the omission of these words from the new copies might not be accidental. He raised concerns about the possibility that it was done deliberately, which he finds troubling. Despite his efforts to address this issue, he did not get an opportunity to raise it formally in Parliament.

Historical context

The terms "socialist" and "secular" were introduced into the preamble of the Indian Constitution through the 42nd Amendment in 1976. This was a significant move during the period of Emergency, led by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. These additions aimed to reassure the nation that India would uphold principles of social justice, economic equality, and religious tolerance.

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The absence of the words "socialist" and "secular" in the new copies of the Constitution provided to Members of Parliament has raised concerns about their significance and the government's intentions. These words are not mere semantics; they symbolize the foundational principles of India's democracy and its commitment to equality and religious freedom. The issue highlights the need for clarity and transparency regarding the preservation of these constitutional values in the nation's legislative processes.