Bengaluru: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday asserted that the party would “fight tooth and nail” if any word in the Constitution is altered. His remarks came in response to RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale’s recent call to review the inclusion of the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble.
Speaking to reporters at his residence in Bengaluru, Kharge referred to Hosabale as “a man of Manusmriti”.
“He doesn't want the poor class people to come up. And what was practised thousands of years ago, he wants the same to continue. That's why he doesn't like socialism, secularism and liberty, equality and fraternity,” the Congress president said.
Kharge further claimed that this stance was not just Hosabale’s personal view but reflective of the broader RSS ideology.
Hosabale, while speaking at an event on the Emergency, had stated that “the preamble of the Constitution Baba Saheb Ambedkar made never had these words.” He added, “During the Emergency, when fundamental rights were suspended, Parliament did not work, and the judiciary became lame, then these words were added.”
He also noted that although discussions were held on the matter later, no steps were taken to remove the words from the Preamble.
“So whether they should remain in the Preamble should be considered,” he added.
Kharge said, "RSS is always against the poor people, the downtrodden and Scheduled Caste and other communities. If they are so interested, they could have removed untouchability. They claim they are the champions of the Hindu religion. If they are so, they should remove untouchability."
The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha also said that RSS should deploy all its volunteers to make sure untouchability is removed and keep the country united.
"Instead of that, simply talking, making noise and creating confusion in the country--that is very bad, and we are against it. The party will fight tooth and nail if any word is touched in the Constitution," said Kharge.
(inputs from PTI)