'Socialist', 'secular' words missing from Preamble of Constitution: Cong's Adhir Chowdhury questioning Modi govt's intent
New Delhi/IBNS: Congress Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has alleged the words "socialist" and "secular" have been dropped from the Preamble in copies of Indian Constitution handed over to the parliamentarians on the day of shifting to the new Parliament building.
Speaking to ANI, Adhir said, "The words "secular" and "socialist" are missing from the Preamble in the copies of Indian Constitution handed over to us while entering the new Parliament building."
"We are aware that the two words were introduced through Amendment to the Constitution in 1976 but it's a matter of concern if someone hands over a copy of the Constitution today without these two words," added the Congress MP.
"It has been done very cleverly. If we raise the issue, they would cite the first Constitution since Independence but their intention is very suspicious," he said.
Adhir, a Lok Sabha MP from West Bengal's Baharampur constituency, said he wanted to raise the issue in Parliament but couldn't get an opportunity.
#WATCH | Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, "The new copies of the Constitution that were given to us today (19th September), the one we held in our hands and entered (the new Parliament building), its Preamble doesn't have the words 'socialist… pic.twitter.com/NhvBLp7Ufi
— ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2023
On Ganesh Chaturthi, India's parliamentarians shift to new block
Almost 800 parliamentarians from two houses- Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha- formally shifted to the new Parliament Building on the occasion of Hindu festival Ganesh Chaturthi on Tuesday.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress Leader of Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, on Tuesday spared some time to deliver their addresses in the old block, a historic site which witnessed the transfer of power from the British to India, proceedings for the last eight decades.
The shifting took place on the second day of the ongoing special session called by the government.
In his first address to the new parliament building, Modi said, "It is historic... This day will be remembered forever."
"Along with the shift in building, we need a shift in our thought processes too," said the Prime Minister.