Sir — It is unfortunate that some people are trying to banish the word ‘Secular’ from our Constitution by spreading half-truths. They argue that since this word was not there in the original Constitution, it should not be a part of it. It is true that this word was not in the Preamble when the Constitution were adopted and enacted on November 26, 1949, or when it came into effect on January 26, 1950. It was incorporated by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976. However, in no way can it be suggested that the ideals of secularism was not part of our original Constitution. This is totally a false propaganda based on half-truths.
Indeed, Article 25 to Article 30 of our Constitution are the embodiments of the spirit of secularism. While Article 25 has given every citizen equal entitlement to freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion; Article 25 (2) has made religion under the control of the state and not vice versa as for example Article 25 (2) (b) has given the state the power to throw open Hindu religious institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus.
So, we need to highlight the fact that saw the spirit of secularism has been a part of our Constitution since the moment it had seen the light of day.