Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Senior BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has sparked a major debate by questioning the inclusion of the words "socialist" and "secular" in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, calling them outdated and not representative of India's true cultural ethos.
Speaking at an intellectuals' meet in Indore, Chouhan argued that the concept of socialism is no longer relevant in the modern era. "Socialism is now a thing of the past," he stated, suggesting that it has created more problems than solutions globally. He contrasted this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guiding principle of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" (Together with all, Development for all), which he said is the practical and effective path forward for India's progress.
Chouhan also took a critical look at the term "secularism," asserting that it is not the foundation of Indian culture. Instead, he pointed to the ancient concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—as the true core of India's identity. "The core of our culture is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," he explained. "India has embraced everyone... We have absorbed every faith and tradition like sugar in milk. The word secularism came much later."
He highlighted that both "socialist" and "secular" were not part of the original Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. They were added to the Preamble in 1976 through the 42nd Amendment during the Emergency period under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's Congress government. Chouhan framed this as a politically motivated decision that did not reflect the nation's inherent values.
Praising the current leadership, Chouhan lauded Prime Minister Modi for elevating India's stature on the global stage. He emphasized Modi's vision of transforming India into a developed nation, or "Viksit Bharat," by 2047, urging intellectuals to contribute to this national goal. His remarks underscore a growing discourse within the ruling party to re-evaluate the constitutional and ideological frameworks inherited from the post-independence Congress era.
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