No proposal to remove "socialist", "secular" from Preamble: Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal

In response to a question posed in the Rajya Sabha, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has clarified that the Indian government has not formally initiated any legal or constitutional process to remove the words "socialist" and "secular" from the Preamble of the

Constitution.

"While there may be discussions or debates in certain public or political circles, no formal decision or proposal has been announced by the government regarding amendments to these terms", the response added.

With regard to an atmosphere created by office bearers of some social organizations, the Law Minister has stated that possibly certain groups are expressing opinions or advocating for reconsideration of these words. Such activities can create a public discourse or atmosphere around the issue, but this does not necessarily reflect the official stance or actions of the government, he has further clarified.

"The government’s official stand is that there is no current plan or intention to reconsider or remove the words "socialism" and "secularism" from the preamble of the constitution. Any discussions regarding amendments to the preamble would require thorough deliberation and broad consensus, but as of now, the government has not initiated any formal process to change these provisions.", the response to a question posed by MP Ramji Lal Suman said.

The Law Minister also referred to the Supreme Court's decision from November 2024 in the case of Dr. Balram Singh and others Vs. Union of India and Another’s the Court wherein it dismissed petitions challenging the 1976 amendment (42nd Constitutional Amendment) affirming that Parliament's power to amend the Constitution extends to the Preamble.

"The Court clarified that "socialism" in the Indian context signifies a welfare state and does not impede private sector growth, while "secularism" is integral to the Constitution's basic structure", Meghwal added.