The Indian government has clarified in the Rajya Sabha that it has no plans to remove the words ‘socialism’ and ‘secularism’ from the Preamble of the Constitution, amidst discussions and debates in political circles and social organisations. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal confirmed that there is no formal proposal or action under consideration, reaffirming the government’s commitment to the current Preamble, which includes these terms added during the Emergency period through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment in 1976.
Government’s Position Amid Political Discussions
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, stated that while there may be conversations within political and social circles regarding the removal of ‘socialism’ and ‘secularism’, the government has not taken any official step towards this direction. “The government’s official stand is that there is no current plan or intention to reconsider or remove the words ‘socialism’ and ‘secularism’ from the Preamble of the Constitution. Any discussions regarding amendments to the Preamble would require thorough deliberation and broad consensus, but as of now, the government has not initiated any formal process to change these provisions,” Meghwal stated, as reported by PTI.
The minister further acknowledged that certain social organisations and their office-bearers have expressed opinions advocating for a review of these terms in the Preamble, creating discussions in public forums. However, he clarified that these discussions do not represent the government’s official stance or reflect any current government action on this matter.
Supreme Court’s Stand on the 42nd Amendment
Law Minister Meghwal highlighted that in November 2024, the Supreme Court had dismissed petitions that challenged the constitutional validity of the 42nd Amendment, which included the insertion of ‘socialism’ and ‘secularism’ into the Preamble. The apex court reaffirmed that Parliament possesses the authority to amend the Constitution, including the Preamble, within the framework of constitutional limits.
The Supreme Court also clarified that the term ‘socialism’ in the Indian context signifies the establishment of a welfare state, which aligns with the nation’s goals of inclusive growth and social justice, and does not obstruct the functioning or growth of the private sector. Similarly, ‘secularism’ remains an integral part of the Constitution’s basic structure, ensuring equality before the law and freedom of faith and belief for all citizens, while reinforcing the secular fabric of the nation.
The clarification by the government comes amidst occasional remarks from some social groups advocating for a review of these terms, arguing about their relevance in the current context. However, the government’s statement reaffirms its commitment to preserving these core values within the Preamble, ensuring stability in constitutional principles while addressing public speculations that may arise in the evolving socio-political landscape.
