Secular, not socialist
RSS and the vice president are among those who have recently batted for deleting 'socialist' and 'secular' from the Preamble of the Constitution. Their arguments echo those made earlier – that Indira Gandhi inserted these adjectives during Emergency in 1976, and that such descriptors were not considered necessary by the constituent assembly. The Supreme Court has maintained both terms have distinct Indian contexts; that they capture the spirit of the Constitution, are part of basic structure doctrine, and cannot be equated with Western ideological positions.
Let's consider 'secular'. As SC correctly observed many times, secularism is integral and intertwined in all aspects of the Constitution. From right to equality and fraternity, all fundamental rights clearly indicate that secularism is a core feature. In the Indian context, secularism, envisioned as equality of all religions, castes and creeds, is evident in Articles 15 (equality) and 25 (freedom of religion).
'Socialist' is a different kettle of fish. SC has held that the idea of socialism can be upheld as part of basic structure since it also stands for equality of opportunity and fair distribution of the nation's wealth; that such philosophy is reflected in various articles of the Constitution. But that's stretching the definition of socialism. It conflates socialism, which is to do with ownership of means of production, with social justice, which is about everyone getting a fair shot at life. The Constitution certainly has social justice as part of its basic structure doctrine. But not socialism. In fact, a robust capitalist system with good welfare provisions is the best guarantee for social justice. Social justice is best served by a rights-based approach that's worked into an economic policy that encourages free enterprise. India's problem right now is that since structural reforms aren't happening, economic opportunities are not expanding, making welfare spends bigger. Socialism is irrelevant here. The other point is that secularism is key to social justice. Given caste hierarchy and religious diversity, a secular state is a must for delivering social justice.
So, drop 'socialist', keep 'secular'.
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email
This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
8 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
US Supreme Court sides with Trump administration in controversial deportation case
The Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the way for the deportation of several immigrants who were put on a flight in May bound for South Sudan, a war-ravaged country where they have no ties. The Supreme Court majority wrote that their decision on June 23 completely halted Murphy's ruling.(Bloomberg) The decision comes after the court's conservative majority found that immigration officials can quickly deport people to third countries. The majority halted an order that had allowed immigrants to challenge any removals to countries outside their homeland where they could be in danger. The court's latest decision makes clear that the South Sudan flight can complete the trip, weeks after it was detoured to a naval base in Djibouti, where the migrants who had previously been convicted of serious crimes were held in a converted shipping container. It reverses findings from federal Judge Brian Murphy in Massachusetts, who said his order on those migrants still stands even after the high court lifted his broader decision. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the flight would be completed quickly, and they could be in South Sudan by Friday. The Supreme Court majority wrote that their decision on June 23 completely halted Murphy's ruling and also rendered his decision on the South Sudan flight 'unenforceable.' The court did not fully detail its legal reasoning on the underlying case, as is common on its emergency docket. Two liberal justices, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented, saying the ruling gives the government special treatment. 'Other litigants must follow the rules, but the administration has the Supreme Court on speed dial,' Sotomayor wrote. Justice Elena Kagan wrote that while she disagreed with the original order, it does countermand Murphy's findings on the South Sudan flight. Attorneys for the eight migrants have said they could face 'imprisonment, torture and even death' if sent to South Sudan, where escalating political tensions have threatened to devolve into another civil war. 'We know they'll face perilous conditions, and potentially immediate detention, upon arrival,' Trina Realmuto, executive director of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, said Thursday. The push comes amid a sweeping immigration crackdown by Trump's Republican administration, which has pledged to deport millions of people who are living in the United States illegally. The Trump administration has called Murphy's finding 'a lawless act of defiance.' McLaughlin called Thursday's decision 'a win for the rule of law, safety and security of the American people." Authorities have reached agreements with other countries to house immigrants if authorities can't quickly send them back to their homelands. The eight men sent to South Sudan in May had been convicted of crimes in the US and had final orders of removal, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have said. Murphy, who was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, didn't prohibit deportations to third countries. But he found migrants must have a real chance to argue that they could be in danger of torture if sent to another country, even if they've already exhausted their legal appeals. The men and their guards have faced rough conditions on the naval base in Djibouti, where authorities detoured the flight after Murphy found the administration had violated his order by failing to allow them a chance to challenge the removal. They have since expressed a fear of being sent to South Sudan, Realmuto said.
Hindustan Times
10 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Millionaire wishes ‘adopted country' US on 4th of July while advising Indians: ‘The way I see it…'
Sabeer Bhatia, the Indian-American co-founder of Hotmail, has irked social media with his latest post. In his Fourth of July message, commemorating US Independence Day, Bhatia also directed a piece of advice toward his Indian followers. Sabeer Bhatia has attracted intense criticism for his tweets on India. (Instagram/ Bhatia started his post with an American flag emoticon and wrote, 'Happy 250th Anniversary to my adopted country.' He completed the line with an Indian flag emoji. In the next line, he shared advice for Indian citizens on how they can turn their country into a nation like America: 'The way I see it, India can become as prosperous as the US—all it takes is a change in the way its citizens think.' Take a look at the post: Sabeer Bhatia's post on the 4th of July. (X/@sabeer) What did social media say? The share prompted mixed reactions. While some enraged social media users called out Bhatia for his tweet, a few supported him. An individual remarked, 'Your adopted country, the USA, has clearly demonstrated its insatiable appetite for committing genocide. It has waged wars more than 100 times across the world, directly or by proxy, after the end of WW2. Millions of innocent civilians have died as a result of these conflicts.' Bhatia responded, 'I don't think you should want to come to the US. Remain in your tricked out planet.' Another commented, '100%. The only problem is MINDSET.' A third expressed, 'When are you shifting to India then?' A fourth wrote, 'Sabeer, we Indians are hypocrites. Unless that changes at the grassroots, it's going to be tough. We can blame our governments, etc., but it is always the people who accept mediocrity, who are double-faced in their own dealings—the day-to-day is what matters.'
Hindustan Times
10 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘I did it my way': Vijay Mallya, Lalit Modi's karaoke at London party fails to impress internet
Lalit Modi was captured partying with his 'good friend' Vijay Mallya at a lavish London party. What piqued people's interest was a moment when the duo dished out a karaoke performance. They sang Frank Sinatra's iconic music number "My Way'. Lalit Modi hosted a lavish summer party in London. Vijay Mallya was among the guets. (X/@LalitKModi) 'I did it #myway - a few memories from my annual summer party past Sunday at my house in London,' Lalit Modi wrote. He continued that he invited 310 people for the 'amazing night', and the guest list consisted of his 'friends and family'. In addition to Vijay Mallya, Chris Gayle was also spotted at the event. Modi also wrote a few words for Mallya. After thanking his guests, he shared, 'And to Vijay Mallya for his everlasting spirit of being there for me. Hope this video does not break the internet. Controversial for sure. But that what I do best.' Take a look at the video: What did social media say? While many reacted with hilarity, a few slammed and labelled them 'fugitives.' An individual posted, 'Sad reality that all fugitives are enjoying lavish lives after looting money from the Indian public.' Another added, 'I was waiting for the invitation. Hope I get it next summer.' A third commented, 'All, Please visit India.' A fourth wrote, 'Nazar na lage app dono ko.' In another post, Lalit Modi wrote about meeting Chris Gayle at his home in London. 'With the man himself the one and only #universeboss Chris Gayle at my home in London for my summer party. Presented me with his bat with which he scored the highest ever total by an individual person in an T20 match in 2013 for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru of 175 runs in just 66 balls. What an inning that was. And he was not out. The greatest entertainer in cricket of all times. I salute him (sic).'
