'Was Like This Only...': BJP Over Adhir Ranjan's Big Claim on Preamble Missing 'Socialist, Secular'

After Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s big claim that Preamble in the new copies of Constitution does not have the words “socialist” and “secular”, BJP has said “it was like this only” when Constitution was made.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday claimed Preamble in new copies of the Constitution, that were given to MPs in their hands when they were entering new Parliament building, doesn’t have the words socialist and secular.

“We know that the words were added after an amendment in 1976 but if someone gives us the Constitution today and it doesn’t have those words,” Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, adding that it is a matter of concern.

“Their intention is suspicious. It has been done cleverly. It is a matter of concern for me. I tried to raise this issue but I did not get an opportunity to raise this issue…”: Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said.

Responding to this now, BJP leader and union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi has said “it was like this only” when the constitution was made.

When constitution was made it was like this only… after that there was 42nd Amendment… there are original copies,” Pralhad Joshi said.

While speaking about the controversy, BJP MP Sushil Modi said: “…It was not said that this is the amended copy. This was the original copy when the Constitution was accepted. It did not have the words ‘socialist secular’ in it…Does the socialist word have any relevance now?… This is an unnecessary controversy..”

The new Parliament building opened for business on Tuesday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading a march of parliamentarians from the old complex to the new one. Members of Parliament were handed over new copies of Constitution in the process.

As originally enacted, the preamble mentioned the state as a “sovereign democratic republic”. In 1976, terms “Secular” and “Socialist” were passed by Parliament during Emergency in the 42nd Amendment.