Congress Raises Issue of Dropping Preamble from NCERT Textbooks in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi, 7th August. The Opposition Congress party on Wednesday brought up the issue of the Preamble to the Constitution being omitted from certain NCERT textbooks in the Rajya Sabha, alleging this move was an attempt to impose a communal ideology on the country. Union Minister J.P. Nadda countered these claims, affirming the government’s commitment to protecting the Constitution.
Leader of the Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the Preamble, described as the soul and foundation of the Indian Constitution, was traditionally included in NCERT textbooks. He emphasized that the Preamble’s objectives—securing justice, liberty, and equality for all citizens, and promoting fraternity to maintain national unity and integrity—are crucial for educational content.
Kharge cited the Constituent Assembly debate from November 1948, where it was argued that political democracy must be underpinned by social democracy, recognizing liberty, equality, and fraternity as essential principles.
“Every citizen, especially the future generation, needs to be educated about the foundational principles and values of Indian democracy and the Constitution, as well as the sacrifices made by freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel,” Kharge asserted.
Kharge also raised concerns about the relocation of statues of Gandhi and Ambedkar within the Parliament complex, prompting objections from the treasury benches. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar instructed that Kharge’s statements deviating from the topic be struck from the record.
Amid protests from the ruling side, Kharge accused the RSS and BJP of attempting to impose their communal ideology by altering the curriculum and demanded the government clarify and reverse the decision to omit the Preamble from textbooks.
Chairman Dhankhar reiterated the collective commitment to the Constitution, stating, “Undoubtedly all of us are committed to the Constitution, and any perception to the contrary will hurt all of us.”
Leader of the House and BJP president J.P. Nadda responded by asserting there was no question of tampering with the Constitution. “Word by word, letter by letter, this government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to the Constitution,” he affirmed.
Nadda noted that it was under the Modi government that November 26, the date of the Constituent Assembly debate, was declared Constitution Day. He criticized Congress for past actions that violated the Constitution, such as imposing Emergency in 1975 and dismissing over 90 elected state governments.
Defending the RSS, Nadda stated that despite Congress’s attempts to ban the organization and imprison its members, the RSS emerged stronger, being a nationalist and grassroots organization.
“The Preamble has been protected and will be protected,” Nadda concluded.
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