Thread on : First attempt to add the word "Secular" in Indian Constitution : Constituent Assembly Debates :

Date : November 15th, 1948.

Main hon'ble members involved :
1. KT Shah
2. BR Ambedkar

KT Shah : Proposed :

Amended article-1 or clause will read as follows:

"India shall be a Secular*, Federal*, Socialist* Union of States."

* Words to be added.

Excerpts from KT Shah's Arguments :

BR Ambedkar's Arguments:

What should be the policy of the State, how the Society should be organised in its social and economic side are matters which must be decided by the people themselves according to time and circumstances. It cannot be laid down in the Constitution itself

BR Ambedkar's Argument (cont.) :

Verdict : Amendment was rejected by the house.

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[Fast forward to 1976]

Smt. Indira Gandhi inserted : "Socialist", "Secular" : in the preface of Indian Constitution.

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Read more :

http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Debates/cadebatefiles/C15111948.html

Preamble* of Indian Constitution [My bad!]

1976 : Indian National Emergency was in place with certain opposition leaders in Jail.