Kerala CM slams RSS over call to review Constitution's Secular, Socialist ideals

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 27 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday condemned the RSS's call to review the words 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Indian Constitution's Preamble, describing it as "a brazen attempt to dismantle the core ideals of our Republic." In a post on 'X,' the chief minister said, "Invoking the emergency to discredit these principles is a deceitful move, especially when the RSS colluded with the Indira Gandhi Government during that time for its own survival." "To use that period now to undermine the Constitution reflects sheer hypocrisy and political opportunism," he said.

The statement from Vijayan, who is also a veteran CPI(M) leader, came a day after the RSS called for reviewing the words 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Preamble of the Constitution, saying they were included during the Emergency and were never part of the Constitution drafted by B R Ambedkar.

Vijayan said secularism and socialism are not additions; they define India and urged every citizen who believes in democracy to raise their voice against the "communal agenda" of RSS.

Addressing an event organised in New Delhi on the Emergency, RSS general secretary Hosabale said on Thursday, "The Preamble of the Constitution Baba Saheb Ambedkar made never had these words. During the Emergency, when fundamental rights were suspended, Parliament did not work, judiciary became lame, then these words were added." He said discussions were held on this issue later but no effort was made to remove them from the Preamble. So whether they should remain in the Preamble should be considered, he added.

"The Preamble is eternal. Are the thoughts of socialism as an ideology eternal for India?" Hosabale said.

The suggestion from the RSS' second senior-most functionary to consider removing the two terms came as he hit out at the Congress for its Emergency-era excesses and demanded an apology from the party. PTI TGB TGB KH