New Delhi: At an event marking 50 years since the Emergency, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Thursday called for a review of the words 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Constitution’s Preamble, asserting that they were not part of the original draft by B.R. Ambedkar and were inserted during the Emergency.
Addressing the gathering, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabole said, “Babasaheb Ambedkar never used these words in the preamble of the Constitution. The words were added during the emergency, when fundamental rights were suspended, Parliament did not function, and the judiciary became lame."
He added that although the issue was discussed subsequently, no steps were taken to remove the two terms from the Preamble.
"So whether they should remain in the preamble should be considered,” Hosabole said.
"The Preamble is eternal. Are the thoughts of socialism as an ideology eternal for India?" he asked.
The call to reconsider the inclusion of the terms 'secular' and 'socialist' in the Preamble of the Constitution was made by the RSS’ second most senior leader, Dattatreya Hosabale, as he sharply criticised the Congress for its role during the Emergency and demanded an apology from the party.
Speaking at an event marking 50 years since the Emergency, which was imposed on June 25, 1975, Hosabale recalled that thousands were jailed and tortured during that period and that media and judicial independence were severely compromised.
He also referred to widespread forced sterilisations during the Emergency. “Those who did such things are today moving around with Constitution's copy. They have still not apologised... Apologise,” he said. “Your ancestors did it... You must apologise for this to the country,” he added.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari was also present at the event.
(inputs from PTI)