In effect, the call for the removal of ‘Secular’ and ‘Socialist’ from the Preamble is against the constitutional mandate. Any attempt in that direction would lead to constitutional erosion.
Closer look at landmark judgments cited by CJI Khanna in his speech on occasion of Supreme Court completing 75 yrs, and how these rulings moulded Indian jurisprudence over the years.
Kesavananda Bharati judgment postulated the basic structure doctrine. It held that certain fundamental features of the Constitution, such as democracy, can’t be amended by Parliament.
In 1973, after a petition was filed by Kesavananda Bharati, Supreme Court ruled that Parliament cannot alter the 'basic structure' of the Constitution.
The Minerva Mills case was as important as the Kesavananda Bharati case. And fighting it was Nani Palkhivala, India’s foremost constitutional litigator.
As discounted Russian barrels increasingly flow to China, Indian refiners lift more from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the UAE, while also eyeing Venezuelan cargoes to diversify risk.
“Insightful piece. Removing ‘Secular’ and ‘Socialist’ undermines the core values of the Constitution and risks weakening its foundational vision.”