"RSS has never accepted Constitution," says Congress' Jairam Ramesh after RSS leader calls for changing Preamble
The Congress leader was replying to the comments made by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Thursday, as the latter claimed that terms like 'Socialist' and 'Secular' were forcibly inserted into the Constitution -- a move that needs to be reconsidered today, while speaking at a program on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency.
'The RSS has NEVER accepted the Constitution of India. It attacked Dr. Ambedkar, Nehru, and others involved in its framing from Nov 30, 1949, onwards. In the RSS's own words, the Constitution was not inspired by Manusmriti. The RSS and the BJP have repeatedly given the call for a new Constitution. This was Mr Modi's campaign cry during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The people of India decisively rejected this cry. Yet the demands for changing the basic structure of the Constitution continue to be made by the RSS ecosystem,' read a post by the Congress leader on X.
https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1938454862540284312
He also highlighted a 2024 Supreme Court judgement regarding challenging the 1976 Constitutional Amendment, which inserted the words. The SC, however, said that the arguments in the case had 'obvious' flaws and weaknesses.
'The Chief Justice of India himself delivered a judgment on November 25, 2024, on the issue now being raised by a leading RSS functionary. Would it be asking too much to request him to take the trouble to read it?' the Congress leader said.
According to the SC judgement posted by the party general secretary (Communications), 'The writ petitions do not require a detailed adjudication as the flaws and weaknesses in the arguments are obvious and manifest. Two expressions- 'secular' and 'socialist', and the word 'integrity' were inserted in the Preamble vide the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976...The power to amend unquestionably rests with the Parliament. This power to amend extends to the Preamble...'
The judgment also mentioned multiple other orders of the top Court, including the Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala, SR Bommai vs Union of India, where it was observed that secularism is the basic feature of the Constitution.
Addressing the argument that the secular and socialist words were inserted during the Emergency, the court had said that the words were under scrutiny while the Parliament was considering the Constitution Forty-Fifth Amendment Bill, 1978, a period after the Emergency was lifted.
Earlier yesterday, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale had emphasised that the Emergency wasn't just a misuse of power, but an attempt to crush civil liberties. Millions were imprisoned, and freedom of the press was suppressed. He said that those who imposed the Emergency and trampled the Constitution and democracy have never apologised. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
18 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Election Commission is simply doing its job in Bihar. Why is the Opposition scared of electoral roll revision?
Written by Pratyush Kanth Once again, the Indi Alliance led by the Congress party has been exposed before the country for targeting the Election Commission of India (ECI), which is performing its constitutional duty. The Indi Alliance parties are attacking the Commission over its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of the electoral rolls in Bihar. The people of India have seen the Congress-led alliance frequently change its stand, spread misinformation, and deliberately create confusion whenever it suits their political agenda. Their actions surrounding this revision process only reinforce that pattern. The same alliance that once vehemently opposed Aadhaar linkage with voter ID by raising the issue of privacy and constitutional rights is now doing an about-turn by demanding Aadhaar as a valid verification document. Their legal representatives in court even pushed for Aadhaar inclusion, conveniently forgetting their earlier opposition. This contradictory behaviour exposes the alliance's lack of principles and confirms that their real concern is not about rights but about political survival. The Supreme Court did not grant any relief to the Opposition and upheld the constitutional responsibility of the Election Commission to conduct the revision. The obvious question arises: What exactly is the Indi Alliance trying to protect? Are they worried about fake voters being removed? Are they concerned about illegal entries getting exposed? Is this why they are so aggressively attacking a constitutionally empowered body which is acting strictly under the law, including provisions of the Representation of the People Act of the year 1950? On June 24, the Election Commission of India issued clear instructions for carrying out an SIR of the electoral roll in Bihar. This decision was taken to ensure inclusion of all eligible citizens and the removal of ineligible names such as those of the deceased, those who have migrated, and illegal foreign voters. The process is designed to be fully transparent and grounded in constitutional legality. This exercise is not just necessary but overdue. The last such revision in Bihar took place in 2003. In the two decades since, the state has undergone significant demographic transformation due to rapid urbanisation, large-scale migration, and a rising youth population. These changes make it imperative that the electoral rolls be revised to reflect the true and current voter base of the state. The Election Commission of India is conducting this exercise under the mandate of Article 326 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees free and fair elections. Sections 16 and 23 of the Representation of the People Act of 1950 empower the Commission to revise and verify electoral rolls. Section 24 of the same Act provides for appeals if any elector or political party wishes to raise objections. To ensure transparency and data protection, the Commission has mandated the uploading of necessary documents on the ECINET platform. These documents are accessible only to authorised officials, ensuring privacy is maintained while verification is carried out in a systematic and reliable manner. The revision process has been designed to be inclusive, transparent, and people-centric. On the ground, more than 72,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), supported by over 20,000 newly appointed officers and four lakh volunteers, are actively working to reach every section of society. Their focus includes the elderly, persons with disabilities, the economically disadvantaged, and voters in remote locations. The process is further strengthened by the presence of 1,56,000 Booth Level Agents, appointed by all recognised political parties, including the Congress itself. Their role is to observe and verify the work, thus increasing public confidence and institutional credibility. Every party has equal opportunity to be part of the process, which leaves no room for complaints about exclusion or bias. The results so far speak for themselves. As of 6 pm on July 10, the Election Commission had successfully collected over 5,22,00,000 enumeration forms, covering more than 66 per cent of Bihar's nearly eight crore electors within just 16 days. With 98 per cent of forms already distributed, the drive is progressing efficiently and is fully on track to meet its deadline of July 25. This achievement reflects the seriousness, scale, and capability with which the ECI is handling a task of such magnitude. It is being executed smoothly, without causing public inconvenience, and with a level of dedication that deserves recognition and support from all political stakeholders. Instead of cooperating with this constitutionally legitimate and transparent exercise, the Indi Alliance is attempting to derail it. The question every citizen must ask is simple. Why is a process aimed at ensuring clean and fair elections being opposed so vehemently? What is it that the alliance is so afraid of? Whose interests are they protecting by standing against an honest electoral clean-up? This behaviour is not just irresponsible. It is a deliberate attempt to undermine the credibility of the ECI and cast doubt on the integrity of our institutions. When a political alliance chooses to weaken democracy to secure its vote bank, it stops serving the people and starts serving only its own power-hungry agenda. Let the truth be known to every citizen of Bihar and to the entire country. The Congress-led alliance is using every trick in the book to obstruct SIR. They are not fighting for genuine voters. They are fighting to protect illegal and ineligible entries that they have long relied on for electoral gains. They have failed to earn the trust of the people. Now, in desperation, they are trying to manufacture confusion and mistrust. Their actions reflect the fear that a clean electoral roll will finally expose decades of vote-bank politics and manipulation. Bihar has always led revolutions and rejected jungle raj. It will not be misled by the lies of the opposition. Bihar deserves truth, not chaos. The people stand with honesty, transparency, and the Constitution, not with obstruction and deceit. The writer is national spokesperson, the BJP
The Wire
18 minutes ago
- The Wire
Jawahar Bal Manch Concludes National Training Camp 'AARAMB
~ 'India's future depends on building a better society,' says Netta D'Souza ~ New Delhi, July 14, 2025: The Indian National Congress, through its children's organization Jawahar Bal Manch (JBM), is committed to nurturing a new generation of socially conscious, constitutionally aware citizens who will contribute to building a progressive and inclusive nation. This was affirmed by Netta D'Souza, AICC National Organising Secretary, at the valedictory session of 'Aarambh', the national two-day JBM camp held at Indira Bhavan, New Delhi. D'Souza emphasized that Jawahar Bal Manch aims to instill Nehruvian ideals and constitutional values in young minds, thereby rebuilding the vision of a secular India through youth empowerment. 'Strengthening JBM's presence across all states is a key priority, as the Congress party believes that creating a value-based, inclusive society is fundamental to strong nation-building,' she said. The camp's chief guest, NSUI National President Varun Chaudhary, highlighted JBM's role in laying the ideological foundation for future leadership. 'Our goal is to produce educated, aware, and responsible individuals who uphold the Constitution. This is the Congress party's vision of constructive nation-building,' he said. Chaudhary also affirmed that students with experience in JBM and an understanding of Gandhian values will be given priority consideration in future NSUI organisational elections, recognising their early commitment to public service and leadership. The event was presided over by Dr. G.V. Hari, National Chairman, Jawahar Bal Manch. Under his leadership and the supervision of the national committee, two key initiatives were launched during the camp: the Indian Constitution Quiz for students under 16, and the Chacha Ji Gold Medal Drawing Competition. These national-level programs aim to enhance civic understanding and creative expression among children and will be conducted across the country. JBM National Office Bearers also announced the upcoming National Representative Convention to be held in Jaipur on September 11,12 and 13, 2025, which will host over 200 student delegates and senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi. The 'Aarambh' camp served as a preparatory event for this major gathering. As part of its digital outreach, JBM will also launch its official platforms - Kids TV and a YouTube Channel on July 14, 2025. The launch will be officiated by AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal. The closing session was addressed by JBM National Chief Coordinator Adv. Yogesh Sharma, and national committee members Gunjan Sharma, Vaishakha Rinich, Rahul T, Tayyab Shahid, and Naresh Kumar. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
Hans India
19 minutes ago
- Hans India
Delhi court reserves verdict in National Herald case
New Delhi: A court here on Monday reserved its verdict on the question of taking cognisance of the prosecution complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged National Herald money laundering case. The high-profile case lists Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress Overseas Chief Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, and others as accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). After hearing the arguments of the Central agency as well as the proposed accused, including the Gandhis, Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts listed the matter for pronouncing the order on July 29. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, representing the ED, claimed that Young Indian Ltd -- in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are majority stakeholders – was used for usurping around Rs 2,000 crore assets of the National Herald by paying a nominal price of Rs 50 lakh. ASG Raju said that Young Indian exists just in name, and all the other accused are puppets of the Gandhi family. As per the ED, a conspiracy was hatched to form Young Indian to acquire control over the vast assets of the now-defunct newspaper, aimed at benefiting the top Congress leadership personally. The probe agency said that several senior Congress leaders were involved in "fake transactions' made to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the original publisher of the National Herald. ASG Raju told the court that individuals were making fraudulent advance rent payments over several years at the direction of senior Congress functionaries with fabricated rent receipts. The ED's prosecution complaint claimed that by way of a malicious takeover, the Congress leadership had misappropriated property belonging to the AJL and converted public trusts into personal assets. On the other hand, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sonia Gandhi, had described the money laundering allegations as 'really strange' and 'unprecedented', claiming that no tangible assets were involved. Further, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the All India Congress Committee's attempts to revive the pre-Independence era newspaper were misconstrued as a bid to sell its assets. Highlighting the non-profit objectives of the company, senior advocate R.S. Cheema, representing Rahul Gandhi, said the National Herald was never a commercial institution and the AICC just wanted to bring the newspaper back on the rails. The controversy over the National Herald's assets came into focus in 2012 when BJP leader Subramanian Swamy filed a complaint in a trial court, alleging that Congress leaders had engaged in cheating and breach of trust in the process of acquiring AJL.
