08 august 2024 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge brought to attention the matter of the “removal of the Preamble to the Constitution from certain NCERT textbooks” during a session in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, characterizing it as an effort to impose a communal ideology upon the nation.
In response, the government refuted this claim, asserting its dedication to upholding the Constitution.
Kharge noted that the Preamble had previously been included in NCERT school textbooks. He quoted from the discussions in the Constituent Assembly in November 1948, stating, “Political democracy cannot endure unless it is founded on social democracy. What does social democracy entail? It signifies a way of life that acknowledges liberty, equality, and fraternity as its guiding principles.”
He emphasized the necessity for future generations to be educated about the fundamental principles and values of Indian democracy and the Constitution, as well as the sacrifices made by prominent figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, B R Ambedkar, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
“Today, we addressed a significant concern regarding the removal of the Preamble from certain NCERT textbooks and sought clarification from the Modi government,” he later posted on X, alleging that the Leader of the House and BJP president J P Nadda disregarded the issue and attempted to divert attention from it.
In his post on X, Kharge remarked, “When 140 crore Indians dashed Modi ji’s aspirations of the slogan ‘400 Paar’ in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Modi government, in its frustration, is determined to alter the Constitution through indirect means by modifying children’s textbooks.” He asserted that Congress would not permit this to occur under any circumstances.
Subsequently, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan refuted Kharge’s assertions in the House, stating that the Preamble to the Constitution is indeed present in the NCERT textbooks for Class 6. “In the updated textbooks, in addition to the Preamble, fundamental duties, fundamental rights, the national anthem, and the core values of the Constitution have also been incorporated,” Pradhan affirmed.