HM says secularism 'most misused' term in LS debate

The issue of intolerance cast its shadow today during an animated debate in the Lok Sabha that saw the government attack Congress saying "secularism" was the "most misused" term, while Congress hit back contending that the ideals of the Constitution were under threat as they were being piolloried deliberately.
The occasion was a day-long debate on the 'Commitment to India's Constitution' as part of 125th birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar in the Lok Sabha on the first day of the Winter session when a senior minister Thawar Chand Gehlot pitched for Ram temple in Ayodhya, implementation of Uniform Civil Code and repeal of Article 370 relating to Jammu and Kashmir

Participating in the debate, opposition members raked up the issue of intolerance and accused the prime minister of maintaining "silence".
Initiating the discussion, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the architect of the Constitution had never thought of putting the term 'secularism' in the Preamble but it was incorporated through an amendment in 1976.
"The words 'socialist' and 'secular' were incorporated in the Preamble through the 42nd amendment of the Constitution. We have no objection.
"Let bygones be bygones. B R Ambedkar had never thought the necessity to incorporate it in the Preamble as these two words were part of the Constitution. It is in-built in the Indian system," he said amidst protests from Congress.

Singh objected to the use of Hindi word 'dharma nirpekshta', saying the literal translation of the secularism should be 'panth nirpekshta' (sect-neutral) and it should be regularly used as it is the official Hindi translation of secularism.

"Secularism is the most misused word in the country. Its misuse should come to an end. Because of the rampant misuse of the word, there have been instances of tension in the society," he said in the packed House where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present during the entire day.
Singh said it was difficult to maintain social harmony because of the "rampant misuse" of the word secularism.

Questioning those "who had no role in the making of the Constitution" and who were now debating it, she said that whatever was being witnessed over the past few months, a veiled reference to incidents of intolerance, was "totally against the principles" of the Constitution.
Attacking the BJP, she said "there cannot be a bigger joke" than holding of the discussion by those "who never had faith in the Constitution nor had they participated in its drafting, are now swearing by it and are laying claim to it."
Some other opposition parties, including Trinamool Congress and BJD, also raised the issue of 'intolerance', saying the untoward incidents witnessed in the recent past should be condemned as they send out "negative messages" and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the matter.

She recalled Ambedkar's warning to hit out at the ruling dispensation, as she sought to highlight the contribution of the Congress in the drafting of the Constitution and in the freedom struggle.
Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge warned of serious consequences in case the Constitution was "reviewed".