Have BJP-RSS Revealed Their 'Anti-Constitution' Mindset? - Ashok Gehlot
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Synopsis
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot calls out the BJP and RSS for their recent remarks questioning the terms 'Socialist' and 'Secular' in the Constitution's Preamble. This article explores the implications of their statements and the historical context behind these pivotal terms.
Key Takeaways
- Ashok Gehlot highlights the BJP-RSS's recent comments on the Constitution.
- The terms 'Socialist' and 'Secular' have historical significance in India's Constitution.
- Supreme Court rulings reinforce the inclusion of these terms.
- The dialogue surrounding these terms is essential for preserving constitutional values.
- Political discourse should prioritize democratic principles.
Jaipur, June 27 (NationPress) In light of the recent remarks by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Dattatreya Hosabale, who suggested discussions around the terms 'Socialist' and 'Secular' due to their inclusion in the Constitution's Preamble during the Emergency, former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, asserted on Friday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the RSS have unveiled their 'anti-Constitution' perspective.
Gehlot stated, 'For the past two days, the BJP and RSS have been pretending to be the guardians of the Constitution, yet their anti-Constitution mindset has been laid bare by Dattatreya Hosabale's comments regarding altering the Constitution’s Preamble.'
'The aim of the BJP-RSS has consistently been to modify the Constitution. They are now making statements as if they hold authority over the Supreme Court, which possesses the power of judicial review,' he emphasized.
'Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is advocating for the slogan 'Save the Constitution' because the ruling BJP and RSS are ideologically and actively pursuing changes to the Constitution,' he noted.
Gehlot also referred to past court rulings and cited the Supreme Court's decision, stating, 'In the 1973 Kesavananda Bharati case, the Supreme Court clearly determined that even though the words 'secularism' and 'socialism' were not initially included in the Constitution, they are integral to its basic structure. Indira Gandhi reinforced this ethos in 1976 by officially incorporating these terms into the Preamble.'
'This 1976 Amendment faced challenges in the Supreme Court, and in the Minerva Mills case, the Court upheld the addition of terms like 'socialism' and 'secularism' to the Preamble. The Supreme Court reaffirmed this position in the 1994 S.R. Bommai case and again in the recent 2024 Balram Singh case,' Gehlot added.
While addressing an audience at the Ambedkar International Centre, RSS leader Hosabale remarked, 'The terms 'socialist' and 'secular' were incorporated into the Preamble during the Emergency. No efforts were made to eliminate them later. There needs to be a discussion on whether these terms should persist. I assert this while in a building named after Babasaheb Ambedkar, whose original Constitution did not encompass these terms in the Preamble.'
Point of View
It is crucial to approach the discussion surrounding the BJP and RSS's statements with balance. While the concern for the integrity of the Constitution is paramount, it is important to recognize the diverse perspectives that exist within India's political landscape. The dialogue surrounding constitutional values must prioritize constructive discourse over confrontation, aiming for a collective understanding that upholds democratic principles.
NationPress
27/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ashok Gehlot say about the BJP and RSS?
Ashok Gehlot criticized the BJP and RSS for their 'anti-Constitution' mindset, specifically in response to RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale's remarks on the terms 'Socialist' and 'Secular'.
Why were 'Socialist' and 'Secular' added to the Constitution?
These terms were added to the Preamble during the Emergency in 1976 to reinforce the principles of equality and justice in India's constitutional framework.
What historical cases support Gehlot's claims?
Gehlot references several Supreme Court rulings, including the Kesavananda Bharati case and the Minerva Mills case, which affirm the significance of 'Socialist' and 'Secular' as part of the Constitution's basic structure.
