new Deelhi: The first day of the Winter Session of Parliament commenced on a stormy note with Congress creating uproar during Home Minister Rajnath Singh's address on the Constitution Day. Singh stirred a 'secular' debate in the Lok Sabha by saying that the word was not there in the Preamble originally.
"'Secular' and 'Socialist' are two words that I believe that have been inserted in the Preamble. And the word 'secular' is the most misused word in the Indian politics," said Singh.
Through the 42nd constitutional amendment, words 'secular' and 'socialist' were inserted in the Preamble.
On the first Constitution Day, Singh paid respect to Dr BR Ambedkar, Dr Rajendra Prasad and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and highlighted their contribution for the country.
The Congress was quick to hit out at Rajnath Singh and said that Dr Ambedkar wanted to add the word 'secular' in the Preamble but faced opposition.
"Dr Ambedkar wanted to add secular word while framing of the Constitution but he faced opposition. Dr Ambedkar and we are from this country. Aryans came from outside. We are the original inhabitants of this land. Despite facing insults for thousands of years, we have been here and we continue to live in this country," said Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge.
Singh even said, "Dr Ambedkar didn't find it necessary to insert 'Socialist' and 'Secular' words in Preamble because he felt it's already in our basic nature. Singh said that instead of 'Dharm-nirpeksha', word 'Panth-nirpeksha' (devotion towards any specific belief, not necessarily religion) should be used.
Taking a jibe at Bollywood actor Aamir Khan over his intolerance remarks, Singh said, "Dr BR Ambedkarji had to face a lot of criticism, but he kept on presenting an objective point of view for a unified India. Dr Ambedkar never thought of leaving the country despite facing insults," said Singh.
Aamir has under fire for his remarks, "There is a sense of insecurity in India. My wife has even suggested leaving India, fearing for her child."
Setting the tone for the session, Singh made it clear that there would be no discussion on reservation. "There cannot be any dilution on reservation. It is not a political issue but a constitutional provision for the socio-economic reasons. We believe that there cannot be any dilution in reservation."
The first two days of the month-long will be dedicated to the anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution also known as Constitution Day. The leaders will pay tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar, architect of the Indian Constitution, including a special session of Parliament with no zero hour on Thursday and Friday.
The events have political significance too as ruling the Bharatiya Janata Party is working overtime to woo Dalits, a politically crucial constituency.
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