Govt Ad 'Blunder' Shows 'Constitution Without Secular'

An advertisement on the occasion of Republic Day, issued by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, using an image of the preamble of the Indian Constitution without the words socialist and secular has triggered a controversy.

Activists who have taken on the government in the social media and the Opposition Congress demanded an explanation as well as action against the officials involved.

The advertisement appeared in newspapers on January 26, and has a backdrop with the Preamble stating “We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign democratic Republic…”
The preamble, which was changed through 42d amendment says “we the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic..”

Congress leader Manish Tewari said “stifling and trampling” with the Constitution is an “unforgivable sacrilege”. He said, “The constitution of India as it stands today is very clear that India would be a sovereign secular and socialist republic. To remove the world secular and socialist is actually is an undoing of the will of power as expressed through the 42 d amendment.”

“Its not only serious insidious…  Action should be take against the officers involved and the minister should be explained how it has happened,”he added. Tewari said it could be an oversight, but deliberate.