The omission of words 'Secularism' and 'Socialism' in the Preamble to the Constitution advertised by the Centre on Republic Day led the Congress on Wednesday to demand an apology from the Prime Minister over the issue. AICC spokesman Randeep Surjewala attacked the Government over the omission of the words in the official advertisements of the Preamble of the Constitution, saying it raises doubts over its "integrity, intent and intention" and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify his stance.
"The Prime Minister should clarify his stance on his definition and understanding of the words secularism and socialism," he said at AICC briefing. The party also sought to dismiss the explanations given by the Government on the deletion of references to secularism and socialism in the advertisements and said his party looked at the development with suspicion and felt that the Government was "testing waters". "Now it is known the overt and covert practice of BJP," he said.
Surjewala again raked by Obama's comments on strong pitch for religious tolerance when he said that India will succeed so long it is not "splintered" on religious lines. The Congress said the party sincerely hoped that Modi "listened to the words of our guest and will do necessary course correction from unilateralisam to India's inherent pluralism." Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore had clarified saying, "The photograph that we have put is of the first Preamble that our great leaders had made at that point of time. Socialist and secular were added in 1976."