Chirag Paswan Opposes All Decisions Taken During Emergency, Reignites Debate on Constitutional Amendments

 New Delhi — Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has added his voice to the ongoing national debate surrounding the 1975 Emergency, asserting his opposition to all decisions made during that period. His comments come ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and amid renewed discussions over the Constitution’s Preamble on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency.

In an interview with NDTV, Paswan made clear his disapproval of the 42nd Constitutional Amendment introduced during the Emergency by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s government. While refraining from explicitly opposing the insertion of the words "Socialist" and "Secular" into the Preamble, Paswan referred to the amendment as a “mini Constitution” and emphasized that the sweeping changes made during the Emergency ran counter to the vision of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

"My thinking is socialist, and every Indian believes in secularism," Paswan said. "But when we raise our voices against the Emergency, we must oppose every decision taken during that time. The Constitution was altered in ways that were not in line with Ambedkar’s original framework. A 'mini Constitution' was created, and I stand against that mindset."

The 42nd Amendment, enacted in 1976, added the words “Socialist,” “Secular,” and “Integrity” to the Preamble. This move, long criticized by sections of the political right, has come under renewed scrutiny as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) mark five decades since the Emergency.

RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale recently questioned the continued presence of the terms “Socialist” and “Secular” in the Preamble, calling for a national discussion on whether they still reflect the ethos of the Constitution. “These words were not part of the original Preamble. There was no effort to remove them later, but perhaps it is time for a serious dialogue,” Hosabale said, speaking at an event at the Ambedkar International Centre.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also joined the chorus, criticizing the Congress for altering what he termed as the "soul" of the Constitution. “No other country has altered its Preamble. The Indian Constitution’s Preamble was changed in 1976 through the 42nd Amendment. But the Preamble is not supposed to be altered—it is the seed from which the entire Constitution grows,” Dhankhar said.

The comments from Paswan, Hosabale, and Dhankhar underscore a growing sentiment within sections of the ruling establishment to revisit the constitutional changes brought during the Emergency era—changes they view as politically motivated and ideologically inconsistent with India’s foundational principles.

With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections behind and key state elections approaching, the political discourse around the Emergency and the Constitution appears poised to remain at the forefront of national debate.