New Delhi, July 28 A plea has been moved in the Supreme Court challenging the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act, 1976 by which the words "Socialist" and "Secular" were inserted in the Preamble of the Constitution, which, as per the plea, is per se illegal for violating the concept of "Freedom of Speech and Expression" and the right to "Freedom of Religion" guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution.
Moreover, such an amendment is also against the "historical and cultural theme of the Great Republic of Bharat, the oldest civilisation of the world", claimed the petitioner, Balram Singh, who is an advocate.
The plea filed through advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain contended that the concept of "Dharma" is different from the concept of religion and the Communist theory of state cannot be applied in the Indian context, which has been a total failure and is not in tune with the religious sentiments and socioeconomic conditions.
"How can the citizens of India be compelled to be secular when they have the fundamental right to Freedom of Religion under Article 25 of the Constitution of India to freely to profess, practice and propagate religion," the plea said.
The petitioner urged the top court to issue direction or declaration that the concept of "Socialism" and "Secularism" occurring in the Preamble of the Constitution refer to the nature of the Republic and is limited to the working of the sovereign function of the state and the same is not applicable to the citizens, political parties and social organisations.
The plea contended that in France and some other countries, a secular government is never involved in religious matters whereas the Indian Constitution itself has empowered the state to indulge in religious matters and some special rights have been given even to religious minorities under Article 30 of the Constitution.
"Issue appropriate writ, order or direction striking down the words 'Socialist' and 'Secular' inserted in the Preamble of the Constitution by Section 2 (a) of the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act, 1976," the plea said.
The petitioners also challenged the insertion of the words 'Secular' and 'Socialist' in the Representation of the People Act, 1951, making it compulsory for the political parties applying for registration before the Election Commission to make specific provision in its memorandum that the association will have true faith and allegiance to the Constitution and "to the principles of 'Socialism' and 'Secularism' and democracy and would uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India".
( With inputs from IANS )