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Secularism most misused word: Rajnath

New Delhi - Opposition rakes up intolerance issue in Indian Lok Sabha.

The winter session of Lok Sabha on Thursday began with an animated debate on the constitution during which the government said the word 'secularism' mentioned in it had been 'misused' while the opposition, led by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, raked up the issue of 'intolerance'.
Initiating discussion on 'Commitment to India's Constitution as part of 125th birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar', 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 inbuilt in the Indian system," he said amidst protests from the Congress.
Singh objected to the use of Hindi word 'Dharma Nirpekshta', saying the literal translation of the secularism should be 'Panth Nirpekshta' 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 and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi were present.
Gandhi, in turn, targetted the government over the issue of intolerance, alleging that ideals and principles of the constitution are under threat and being attacked deliberately. Several other opposition parties also raked up the intolerance issue, 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.
Gandhi hit out at the BJP government for organising the debate, saying "People 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. They are now having a discussion on commitment to it. There cannot be a bigger joke than this."
Insisting that whatever being witnessed over the past few months was 'totally against the principles' of the Constitution, 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.
Contending that the issue of reservation has been politicised, the Home Minister made it clear that quota was a constitutional provision and there was 'no scope' for any further debate on the issue.
"Reservation is a socio-political necessity. Hence, there is a constitutional provision for it," he said.
The remarks came weeks after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat favoured a review of the reservation system. Top BJP leaders, during Bihar Assembly polls, repeatedly assured that the government would not do away with the present quota system.
Asserting Modi government's commitment for safety and security of every Indian, irrespective of caste, creed or religion, Singh said everyone born in India is Indian and all are brothers.
He also appeared to take a jibe at actor Aamir Khan when he said Ambedkar had never thought of leaving the country despite being subjected to insult and discrimination.
He said India was the only country where all 72 sects of Muslims lived and communities like Zoroastrian and Jews felt safe while facing persecution elsewhere.
Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay, while talking about 'intolerance' issue, said every such incident should be condemned and that it should be looked at as to why dignified artistes, including Aamir Khan, are feeling uneasy in their own country. 

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