VP Dhankhar Slams Emergency-Era Preamble Changes as ‘Nasoor’, Sacrilege to Sanatana Spirit

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 28th June: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday launched a scathing critique of the changes made to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution during the Emergency, calling the insertion of the words Socialist, Secular, and Integrity through the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 a “nasoor (festering wound)” and a “sacrilege to the spirit of Sanatana.”

Speaking at the Vice-President’s Enclave during the release of Ambedkar’s Messages, a book compiled by author and former Karnataka MLC D.S. Veeraiah, Dhankhar underscored that no other country has altered the Preamble of its Constitution except India. “What a travesty of justice! First, we change something which is not changeable, and then we change it during the Emergency,” he said, pointing to what he described as a violation of constitutional sanctity at a time when citizens were imprisoned and fundamental rights suspended.

“The Preamble is not merely decorative; it is the soul of the Constitution,” Dhankhar stated, referencing the observations of Justice H.R. Khanna from the landmark Kesavananda Bharati case. “The change during the darkest chapter of Indian democracy — the Emergency — belittled the founding vision of our Constitution and betrayed the civilizational wisdom embedded in Sanatana Dharma.”

He argued that the insertion of new terms into the Preamble was done not only without public consensus but at a time when “We, the People” — the very source of the Constitution’s authority — were denied their voice. “During those 22 months of Emergency, the best among us were jailed. What kind of mandate do you claim when the people were gagged and the judiciary was shackled?” he questioned.

Referring to the Supreme Court’s observations in the Golaknath and Kesavananda Bharati verdicts, Dhankhar reiterated that the Preamble embodies the “fundamental values and philosophy” of the Constitution and should be viewed as sacrosanct. “It is not a mere preface but a key to unlock the vision of the framers,” he said, quoting Justices Hidayatullah, Hegde, Mukherjea, Shelat, and Grover, all of whom highlighted the unalterable nature of the Preamble.

Calling the Emergency-era amendment a casual and improper act, he said, “A very serious work — which cannot be altered — has been casually, farcically and with no sense of propriety, changed.”

Dhankhar also paid rich tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, calling him a visionary who transcended politics. “Dr. Ambedkar lives in our hearts, dominates our minds, and touches our souls,” he said, expressing regret that India honoured him with the Bharat Ratna only posthumously. “My heart wept. Why so late?”

He quoted Ambedkar’s final speech to the Constituent Assembly in 1949, warning of internal threats to India’s freedom:

“Not only has India lost her independence before, but she lost it due to the betrayal of her own people. Will history repeat itself?”

Urging the nation to embrace Ambedkar’s call for unity above religious or political divides, Dhankhar said, “Let us all be Indians first and last. If we place creed above country, our independence will again be at risk.”

The Vice President concluded by stressing that Ambedkar’s legacy and constitutional values must reach every Indian household. “Our temples of democracy must not be ravaged by disruption,” he said, urging parliamentarians and policymakers to honour Ambedkar’s vision and preserve the integrity of the Constitution.