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A day after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale sparked controversy with his remarks questioning the inclusion of the words "socialist" and "secular" in the Indian Constitution, the Congress party hit back, accusing the Sangh and its affiliates of attempting to undermine the very foundation of the Indian republic.
Congress MP and communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh said the RSS has “never accepted” the Constitution of India.
“The RSS has NEVER accepted the Constitution of India. It attacked Dr Ambedkar, Nehru, and others involved in its framing from November 30, 1949, onwards. In the RSS’s own words, the Constitution was not inspired by Manusmriti (sic),” Ramesh posted on X (formerly Twitter).
He added, “The RSS and the BJP have repeatedly called for a new Constitution. This was Mr Modi’s campaign cry during the 2024 elections. The people of India decisively rejected it. Yet the demand continues through the RSS ecosystem.”
Ramesh also pointed to the Supreme Court’s ruling on November 25, 2024, which upheld the constitutional validity of the 42nd Amendment that inserted “secular” and “socialist” into the Preamble during the Emergency in 1976. “Would it be asking too much to request [Hosabale] to take the trouble to read it?” Ramesh asked.
A bench led by then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna had ruled that Parliament’s power under Article 368 extends to amending the Preamble and dismissed the argument that these words could not be added retrospectively. The court noted that "secular" and "socialist" had gained widespread acceptance and were understood clearly by “We, the People of India.”
On Thursday, June 26 while speaking at an event marking the anniversary of the Emergency, Hosabale asked the Congress to apologise for imposition of the Emergency. He called for a national debate on whether the terms “secular” and “socialist” should remain in the Preamble, arguing that they were inserted without public consultation. “The Preamble Baba Saheb Ambedkar made never had these words. During the Emergency, judiciary became lame then these words were added,” he said.