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.
Like Turkey and Egypt, Pakistan is one of a handful of powers with the human resources and infrastructure to help secure the Persian Gulf as Trump’s America draws down its military presence.
ACM Katre was 2nd IAF chief to die in harness. It was at a memorial lecture in his honour where IAF chief AP Singh revealed that India shot down 6 Pakistani aircraft in Op Sindoor.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
“Insightful piece. Removing ‘Secular’ and ‘Socialist’ undermines the core values of the Constitution and risks weakening its foundational vision.”