What Sparked the Outrage Over RSS Leader's Comments on India's Constitution?

Opposition Parties React to RSS General Secretary's Controversial Remarks

New Delhi: On Friday, various opposition factions condemned the remarks made by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale regarding the terms 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, labeling it a "deliberate attack" on the Constitution's essence.

This backlash followed the RSS's suggestion to reassess these terms, claiming they were added during the Emergency period and were not part of the original Constitution drafted by B.R. Ambedkar.

The Congress party characterized this as a "deliberate assault" on the Constitution's core values, asserting that the RSS and BJP have never truly embraced Ambedkar's vision. The CPI(M) echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the demand reveals the RSS's long-term goal of undermining the Constitution.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi remarked that the RSS's true intentions are becoming evident, as they seem to prefer the Manusmriti over the Constitution. He stated, "The Constitution disturbs them because it advocates for equality, secularism, and justice," in a post on X.

Gandhi further alleged that the RSS-BJP's agenda is to strip marginalized communities of their rights, asserting that they aim to reclaim power over the oppressed. He emphasized that patriotic Indians will defend the Constitution fiercely.

CPI(M) leader and Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticized Hosabale's comments as a "blatant attempt to dismantle the foundational principles of our Republic."

He argued that invoking the Emergency to undermine these principles is hypocritical, especially since the RSS had previously collaborated with the Indira Gandhi administration during that time. Vijayan insisted that secularism and socialism are integral to India's identity, urging citizens to oppose this communal agenda.

The Left parties and RJD accused Hosabale of conspiring to alter the Constitution.

Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh pointed out that the BJP/RSS has targeted Ambedkar, Nehru, and others involved in drafting the Constitution since its adoption on November 30, 1949. He noted that the RSS has previously called for a new Constitution, a campaign promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2024 elections, which the public rejected.

Ramesh also referenced a Supreme Court ruling from November 25, 2024, questioning whether Hosabale had taken the time to read it.

In a statement, the Congress party claimed that the RSS-BJP's ideology directly contradicts the Indian Constitution, stating, "Dattatreya Hosabale's call to remove 'socialist' and 'secular' from the Preamble is not merely a suggestion; it is an outright assault on our Constitution's essence."

They accused the RSS-BJP of plotting to dismantle Ambedkar's vision for a just and inclusive India, recalling that the RSS had previously rejected the Constitution.

The Congress party vowed to stand firm against any attempts to undermine the Constitution, declaring, "Jai Samvidhan."

K.C. Venugopal, Congress General Secretary (Organisation), criticized the RSS and BJP for their ongoing efforts to distort the Constitution, which he claimed contradicts their fascist beliefs.

He pointed out that the Supreme Court has recognized socialism and secularism as fundamental to the Constitution, and Hosabale's stance is an insult to its values.

The MP from Alappuzha, Kerala, emphasized that the Indian populace is aware of the RSS's divisive tactics and vowed to defend the Constitution.

Congress Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, Pramod Tiwari, remarked that the BJP and RSS's hidden agenda is now exposed, aiming to eliminate the core values of secularism and socialism.

In response, the BJP accused the Congress of being responsible for constitutional violations since India's independence and urged them to apologize for their actions during the Emergency.

BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi stated that the real issue is the Congress government's infringement on citizens' fundamental rights during the Emergency.

RJD President Lalu Prasad, who champions social justice and communal harmony, expressed his discontent on X, labeling the RSS as a "casteist" organization.

He questioned why those with unjust motives harbor such animosity towards democracy and Ambedkar's Constitution.

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha suggested that Hosabale should read the Constituent Assembly debates, as socialism and secularism are fundamental to the Constitution.

The CPI(M) Politburo issued a statement asserting that the inclusion of 'socialism' and 'secularism' in the Preamble reflects the core values for which freedom fighters sacrificed their lives.

They condemned Hosabale's proposal as an attempt to subvert the Constitution and transform India into a Hindu Rashtra, aligning with the RSS's Hindutva agenda.

The CPI(M) criticized the RSS for advocating the removal of these foundational principles, emphasizing that it contradicts the values upheld by India's martyrs.

CPI General Secretary D. Raja remarked that the RSS's opposition to the Constitution is well-known, making the defense of the Constitution a central issue for opposition parties.

During an event discussing the Emergency, Hosabale stated that the original Preamble drafted by Ambedkar did not include these terms.

He claimed that these words were added during the Emergency when fundamental rights were suspended, suggesting that their inclusion should be reconsidered.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh defended Hosabale's remarks, asserting that any rational citizen would agree, as these terms were not part of the original Constitution.