Currently, no plans to remove the words 'Socialist' and 'Secular' from the Constitution : Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal

Union government clarifies in Parliament!

New Delhi – Discussions are ongoing in certain circles about removing the words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ from the Preamble of the Constitution. However, the Union government currently has no such plan or intention, clarified Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in the Rajya Sabha.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal clarifies in Parliament –

👉 “There’s currently no proposal to remove the words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ from the Constitution Preamble.”📜

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1.Last month, Dattatreya Hosabale, General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), stated that the words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were added to the Preamble during the Emergency (42nd constitutional amendment). Following this, Samajwadi Party MP Samoon questioned Law Minister Meghwal on whether some social groups are now attempting to create an atmosphere for the removal of these words from the Preamble.

2.In response, Law Minister Meghwal said that some groups may be expressing their opinions or trying to create an environment for rethinking these terms. Such discussions may lead to public debate or discourse; however, this should not be interpreted as the government’s official position.

3.When asked about the government’s formal stance, Meghwal affirmed that the government has no plan or intent to reconsider or remove the words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ from the Preamble. He added that any amendment to the Preamble would require deep deliberation and broad consensus. So far, the government has not initiated any formal process to alter these terms.

Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional amendment!

In November 2024, the Supreme Court dismissed petitions challenging the 42nd constitutional amendment in the case of Dr. Balram Singh & Others vs. Union of India. Referring to this, Law Minister Meghwal said that the Court has clarified that, in the Indian context, Socialism represents a welfare state and does not hinder private sector development. Additionally, Secularism is an integral part of the Constitution’s basic structure.