New Delhi: In a powerful remark that has reignited a fierce constitutional and political debate, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar declared that the Preamble of the Indian Constitution is ‘unchangeable and unalterable,’ yet it was inappropriately amended during the Emergency in 1976.
Calling the Preamble the “soul and seed of the Constitution,” Dhankhar criticized the Indira Gandhi-led government for making modifications that, in his view, compromised the spirit of the original document. “India stands alone globally as the only country where the Constitution’s Preamble was changed,” he said, referring to the 42nd Constitutional Amendment enacted during the Emergency.
“The Preamble is not meant to be altered. It is the foundation, the spiritual core of our Constitution. But in 1976, during the darkest period of our democracy, it was amended to include the terms Socialist, Secular, and Integrity,” Dhankhar said at a recent book launch, as reported by PTI.
Political Firestorm Follows
The Vice President’s statement echoed sentiments recently expressed by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, who also questioned the legitimacy of the amendment, suggesting it was forced during a time when democracy was in crisis.
“These words were inserted when civil liberties were crushed and democratic institutions were sidelined. They were not part of the original vision drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar,” said Hosabale during an event marking 50 years since the Emergency.
BJP Leaders Demand Review
The remarks found strong backing within the BJP ranks, with senior leaders, including Union Ministers Jitendra Singh and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, calling for a national review of the amendment.
“The word secularism was injected during the Emergency. It’s time to reconsider it. India’s soul already reflects equal respect for all faiths,” Chouhan stated.
Shiv Sena’s Shaina NC also supported the demand, arguing that terms like pseudo-secularism have been weaponized over the years, weakening the democratic essence of the country.
Opposition Criticizes ‘Revisionist Agenda’
However, the comments have drawn sharp flak from the opposition, which views the remarks as part of a larger effort to undermine India’s constitutional ethos and rewrite history.
With emotions running high and political lines drawn, the debate over the Preamble has become a flashpoint between those who prioritize constitutional preservation and those who advocate for ideological reinterpretation. Whether the foundational words “Secular” and “Socialist” stay or go may soon become a defining issue in India’s democratic discourse.