A significant political controversy has erupted following a statement made by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, who questioned the presence of the words “socialist” and “secular” in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. The comments, made during an event commemorating 50 years since the Emergency, have sparked sharp reactions from opposition parties, particularly the Congress, who have accused the RSS and BJP of attempting to dilute the core principles of India’s constitutional democracy.

Speaking at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre on June 26, 2025, Hosabale addressed a gathering to mark the anniversary of the Emergency—a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 during which civil liberties were suspended, opposition leaders jailed, and the Constitution amended in unprecedented ways. In his speech, Hosabale blamed the Congress for imposing the Emergency, indirectly criticizing the party without naming it, and called for an apology from those responsible, saying, “They have not apologised to the country for that. They must apologise. If your ancestors did it, apologise on their behalf.”

What brought national attention to the event, however, were Hosabale’s comments on the Preamble of the Constitution, particularly the 42nd Constitutional Amendment of 1976. He pointed out that the words “socialist” and “secular” were not part of the original Preamble drafted under Dr B. R. Ambedkar’s leadership and were inserted during the Emergency under the Indira Gandhi-led Congress government. “There should be a discussion on whether they should remain,” he remarked, adding that no serious effort had been made in decades to re-examine these additions.

The Preamble, as originally enacted in 1950, declared India to be a Sovereign Democratic Republic. The 42nd Amendment, passed in 1976 during the peak of the Emergency, inserted the words “Socialist” and “Secular”, modifying it to “Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic.” Since then, these terms have been at the center of various constitutional and ideological debates.

Hosabale’s remarks came shortly after the Lok Sabha elections, during which leaders from the INDIA bloc, especially Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, frequently brandished copies of the Constitution at public rallies, accusing the Modi government of attempting to rewrite or undermine constitutional provisions. The timing of Hosabale’s statement has led to speculations about renewed ideological positioning by the RSS, just as the BJP prepares for a renewed legislative agenda.

In addition to his comments on the Preamble, Hosabale emphasised the importance of remembering the Emergency not merely as a historical event, but as a cautionary tale for future generations. “The dates June 25 and June 26 should not just be old boys’ clubs of discussions,” he said. “These should be occasions to inform the youth, so that the Emergency mindset never returns.”

He called on the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing affiliated with the RSS, to initiate study circles in universities across India, educating students about the dangers of authoritarian rule. He recounted a personal incident from June 26, 1975, when he saw Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L. K. Advani being arrested outside a guest house in Bengaluru during a meeting of a Parliamentary Committee. The anecdote was meant to underscore how political dissent was crushed during that time.

However, the Congress party responded sharply to Hosabale’s statements. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the party said, “RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has openly called for the removal of the words 'socialist' and 'secular' from the Preamble. This is not just a suggestion—it is a deliberate assault on the soul of our Constitution.” The post added that the ideology of the RSS and BJP is fundamentally opposed to the inclusive vision enshrined in the Constitution by its founding fathers.

The statement has reignited long-standing debates around the ideological divide between India’s Right-wing, represented by the RSS and BJP, and the Left-liberal establishment, of which Congress has historically been a part. While the RSS has consistently maintained that India’s original Constitution did not include the terms socialist and secular, its opponents argue that these principles were always implicit in India’s governance, and their formal inclusion during the Emergency was merely a reflection of the country's evolving political consciousness.

The controversy also brings into focus the 42nd Amendment itself, often dubbed the “mini-Constitution” due to the wide-ranging changes it introduced, many of which were later rolled back by the Janata Party government after Indira Gandhi lost power in 1977. However, the insertion of “socialist” and “secular” remained untouched.

Legal experts, constitutional scholars, and political analysts are now debating whether there is any legal merit or political appetite for removing these terms from the Preamble. Some point out that while constitutional amendments can be made through parliamentary procedures, altering the Preamble strikes at the core ethos of the Constitution and could invite judicial review under the Basic Structure Doctrine laid down by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case.

The Supreme Court has previously upheld the inclusion of “socialist” and “secular” as part of India’s constitutional identity. Any attempt to remove these terms would not only face political resistance but could also trigger a legal battle, potentially stretching into years of courtroom deliberations.

This latest development has also reignited discussions in academic and civil society circles about what it means to be secular and socialist in modern India. With rising economic inequality, debates about religious freedom, and increasing calls for privatisation, the relevance and interpretation of these constitutional ideals remain deeply contested.

In conclusion, Dattatreya Hosabale’s statement suggesting the removal of “socialist” and “secular” from the Constitution’s Preamble is not just a passing remark—it represents a major ideological flashpoint that could shape the political discourse in India for years to come. As the nation reflects on the legacy of the Emergency, the very foundation of India’s constitutional values is once again under the scanner, with secularism and socialism at the heart of the battle between opposing visions of the republic.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Crizac, Silky Overseas, Vandan Foods, Pushpa Jewellers, Cedaar Textile, Marc Loire Fashions.

The Current active IPO are Neetu Yoshi, Adcounty Media India, Moving Media Entertainment, Valencia India, PRO FX Tech, Ace Alpha Tech, Indogulf Cropsciences, Suntech Infra Solutions, Rama Telecom, Supertech EV, Sambhav Steel Tubes, HDB Financials.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.