Time to debate socialism, secularism in Constitution, says BJP leader and Union agriculture minister Shivraj Chouhan

New Delhi: Senior BJP leader and Union agriculture minister Shivraj Chouhan on Friday suggested that it is time for a thoughtful debate about the words "socialism and secularism" in the Constitution's Preamble while asserting that these two terms do not reflect India's core cultural values.

Chouhan's remarks came a day after RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale called for a review of addition of socialism and secularism in the Constitution's Preamble, saying these two words were not in the Constitution drafted by BR Ambedkar. However, Chouhan underlined that harmony among all religions is the core of Indian culture and socialism."Secularism is not the core of our culture and hence it must be considered that the word secular which was added during the Emergency should be removed," Chouhan said.

Speaking about socialism, Chouhan said 'Jiyo aur Jeene do' (Live and let others live) and 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah' (May all be happy), are the basic nature of India's culture, so there is no need for the word "socialism".


Echoing similar sentiments, Union minister Jitendra Singh while speaking in Jammu, said, "Any right-thinking citizen will endorsewhat Hosabale has proposed as he asserted that "socialism" and "secularism" were not in the original Constitution written by Dr BR Ambedkar.