Indian Constitution controversy deepens as Law Minister Meghwal clarifies there’s no plan to remove ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ from the Preamble, despite ongoing public and political debates.
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NEW DELHI: Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has stated that the Indian government currently has no intent to remove the words “socialist” and “secular” from the Preamble of the Constitution. The clarification was provided in a written reply to a question raised by Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman in the Rajya Sabha.
Following the recent comments by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, who in June 2025 called for a nationwide debate on the relevance of these words in the contemporary Indian context. These terms were added to the Preamble during the Emergency period in 1976 via the 42nd Constitutional Amendment.
Responding to concerns, Meghwal said,
“The Indian government has not formally initiated any legal or constitutional process to remove the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ from the Preamble. While there may be discussions or debates in certain public or political circles, no formal decision or proposal has been announced by the government regarding amendments to these terms.”
He further added that while such topics may surface in public or political discourse, they do not reflect official government policy:
“It is possible that some groups are expressing opinions or advocating for a reconsideration of these words. Such discussions may contribute to public discourse, but they do not reflect the official position or actions of the government.”
Citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dr Balram Singh & Others vs Union of India (November 2024), Law Minister Meghwal clarified that socialism, in the Indian constitutional context, refers to the concept of a welfare state and does not hinder private sector growth. He further emphasized that secularism is an integral part of the Constitution’s basic structure and is therefore non-negotiable under the prevailing constitutional framework. He said,
“The court clarified that ‘socialism’ in the Indian context signifies a welfare state and does not impede private sector growth, while ‘secularism’ is integral to the Constitution’s basic structure.”
Meghwal reiterated that any attempt to amend the Preamble would necessitate broad political consensus, extensive deliberation, and passage through the rigorous constitutional amendment process outlined under Article 368 of the Constitution.
He concluded,
“There is no current plan or intent to reconsider or remove the words from the Preamble. Any such constitutional amendment would require broad political consensus and detailed deliberation — and at present, no such process has been initiated.”
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