Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said the Congress party will stand like a rock against attempts to weaken or rewrite the Constitution while slamming RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale’s criticism of inclusion of the words “socialist” and “secularism” in the Constitution.
“Now they are back to their old playbook,” the CM said in a statement, in a scathing attack on the RSS. “We will defend its (Constitution’s) values — secularism, social justice, and democracy — with full strength and conviction.”
The CM’s statement followed reported remarks of Hosabale who had said at an event in Delhi on Thursday that the words socialist and secular were added to the Preamble. He called for a discussion on whether these words must remain as the original Constitution drafted by Dr BR Ambedkar did not have them.
“The RSS has always opposed the core values of our Constitution — secularism and socialism. Now, their leaders are once again saying these words should be removed from the Preamble. This is not a casual remark — it is part of a long-standing agenda to reshape India’s democracy in their ideological image,” Siddaramaiah said.
He added: “Let me say this clearly — if not for these constitutional values, people like me would never have had the chance to study, speak, or serve. That is the power of justice, equality, and secularism.”
Siddaramaiah agreed that the original Preamble didn’t include the two words. “But that’s because it was already understood that India would be a secular and socially just democracy. It was only later — when these values were being attacked, especially by the RSS and its affiliates — that they were added clearly through the 42nd Amendment.”
He urged people not to forget that the RSS refused to accept the Constitution when it was adopted. “In its mouthpiece Organiser, the RSS complained in 1949 that the Constitution had “nothing which can be called our own” and lamented that it ignored India’s ancient traditions. Then RSS chief MS Golwalkar praised the Manusmriti as a more authentic guide for India’s culture and rejected democracy and equality as Western imports. This is the organisation now claiming to protect Indian values.”
Siddaramaiah urged the RSS to first explain why it rejected the very Constitution that protects the rights of all Indians before asking to apologise for history. “In the recent elections, BJP leaders openly said they needed 400 seats to rewrite the Constitution. The people of India saw through that agenda — and gave them a resounding answer.”
“Now they are back to their old playbook,” the CM said in a statement, in a scathing attack on the RSS. “We will defend its (Constitution’s) values — secularism, social justice, and democracy — with full strength and conviction.”
The CM’s statement followed reported remarks of Hosabale who had said at an event in Delhi on Thursday that the words socialist and secular were added to the Preamble. He called for a discussion on whether these words must remain as the original Constitution drafted by Dr BR Ambedkar did not have them.
“The RSS has always opposed the core values of our Constitution — secularism and socialism. Now, their leaders are once again saying these words should be removed from the Preamble. This is not a casual remark — it is part of a long-standing agenda to reshape India’s democracy in their ideological image,” Siddaramaiah said.
He added: “Let me say this clearly — if not for these constitutional values, people like me would never have had the chance to study, speak, or serve. That is the power of justice, equality, and secularism.”
Siddaramaiah agreed that the original Preamble didn’t include the two words. “But that’s because it was already understood that India would be a secular and socially just democracy. It was only later — when these values were being attacked, especially by the RSS and its affiliates — that they were added clearly through the 42nd Amendment.”
He urged people not to forget that the RSS refused to accept the Constitution when it was adopted. “In its mouthpiece Organiser, the RSS complained in 1949 that the Constitution had “nothing which can be called our own” and lamented that it ignored India’s ancient traditions. Then RSS chief MS Golwalkar praised the Manusmriti as a more authentic guide for India’s culture and rejected democracy and equality as Western imports. This is the organisation now claiming to protect Indian values.”
Siddaramaiah urged the RSS to first explain why it rejected the very Constitution that protects the rights of all Indians before asking to apologise for history. “In the recent elections, BJP leaders openly said they needed 400 seats to rewrite the Constitution. The people of India saw through that agenda — and gave them a resounding answer.”
You may also like
FA chief makes clear statement on Sarina Wiegman future as Lionesses prepare for Euros
Emma Raducanu 'couldn't speak out' as she lifts lid on coaching problems
Value Scope: Each way horseracing tips from Steve Jones for Saturday on ITV
George Russell left Lewis Hamilton looking 'immature' after 'not easy to work with' claim
Arsenal receive major double boost as Liverpool rocked by transfer move
