Congress Criticizes RSS's Proposal to Amend Constitution's Preamble

New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) - In a fiery exchange, the Congress party has criticized the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for proposing a review of the words 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Constitution's Preamble. According to Congress, the RSS has never fully embraced Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution, and this suggestion is seen as part of a larger conspiracy to undermine it. The RSS's proposal, made on Thursday, hinges on the argument that these terms were added during the Emergency and were not part of the original Constitution crafted by B.R. Ambedkar.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated emphatically that the RSS has historically not accepted the Indian Constitution. "Attacks were made on Ambedkar, Nehru, and other framers of the Constitution starting from November 30, 1949," he mentioned on social media platform X. Ramesh indicated that within the RSS's framework, there is a call for drafting a new Constitution, repeating Prime Minister Modi's past election campaign theme. This notion was rebuffed by the populace during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, yet similar demands persist within the RSS's orbit," Ramesh added.

Regarding recent judicial discourse, Ramesh alluded to a judgment delivered by the Chief Justice of India on November 25, 2024, implying the RSS functionary should acquaint himself with it. The Congress party also asserted via X that the RSS-BJP ideology runs "anti-constitutional." "Hosabale has demanded changing the Constitution’s Preamble, which is an ongoing plot to dismantle Ambedkar's work," they claimed in firm tones.

Citing historical objections, the Congress highlighted that the RSS opposed the Constitution at its inception. "During elections, BJP leaders pressured for more than 400 seats to amend the Constitution, only to be rebuffed by the electorate. Such endeavors continue, but Congress is resolved to thwart these ambitions," they affirmed in a Hindi statement.

During an event addressing the Emergency's impact, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale posited that 'socialist' and 'secular' never appeared in the initial Constitution Preamble. These terms were introduced, he claimed, when fundamental rights faced suspension and institutional functions were hindered during the Emergency. Although discussions occurred thereafter, no active measures were taken to excise them from the Preamble, he elaborated.

"The Preamble is eternal. But are the ideas of socialism perpetual for India?" Hosabale queried. The remarks from the RSS hierarchy come amid critiques of Congress's actions during the Emergency era, demanding an apology from the party.

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