Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stirred a fresh constitutional debate by urging the Union Government to remove the words “Secular” and “Socialist” from the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. Speaking at the launch of the book The Emergency Diaries: Years That Forged a Leader, Sarma described the terms as “ideological insertions” imposed during the 1975 Emergency and inconsistent with India’s civilizational ethos.
🗣️ “Time to Erase Emergency-Era Legacies,” Says Sarma
Sarma argued that the two terms were not part of the original Constitution drafted under Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and were added later through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment in 1976 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
“Secularism goes against the Indian idea of Sarva Dharma Sama Bhava, and socialism was never truly our economic vision,” Sarma stated.
He likened the move to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to remove colonial-era laws and symbols, calling for a “complete ideological purge” of Emergency-era additions.
📚 Context: Launch of ‘The Emergency Diaries’
The remarks came during the launch of The Emergency Diaries, a book chronicling resistance against the Emergency and highlighting Narendra Modi’s early political journey. Sarma said the book serves as a reminder of the “damages caused by the Emergency”, and that India must not repeat such authoritarian episodes.
🧾 Constitutional Background
- The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 added the words “Secular” and “Socialist” to the Preamble
- Critics argue these terms were politically motivated and not debated by the Constituent Assembly
- Supporters maintain they reflect India’s commitment to religious neutrality and social justice
🔥 Political Reactions and Broader Implications
Sarma’s comments align with similar calls from other BJP leaders, including Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who also questioned the relevance of the terms in today’s context. The remarks have sparked sharp criticism from opposition parties, who view the move as an attempt to undermine constitutional values.
Stay tuned for updates on the constitutional discourse.
