Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday attacked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for opposing the words ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ in the Preamble of the Constitution.

He was reacting to RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale’s call for a review of the two words that were inserted into the Preamble during the Emergency by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Noting that the RSS leader’s remark was not a casual one, the Chief Minister wrote on X that “it is part of a long-standing agenda to reshape India’s democracy in their ideological image”. Mr. Siddaramaiah said further, “Let me say this clearly that if not for these constitutional values, people like me would never have had the opportunity to study, speak, or serve. That is the power of justice, equality, and secularism.”

The Chief Minister said the two words were inserted when the secular values were being attacked, especially by the RSS and its affiliates.

“Let us not forget: the RSS refused to accept the Constitution when it was adopted. In its mouthpiece Organiser, the RSS complained in 1949 that the Constitution had ‘nothing which can be called our own’, and lamented that it ignored India’s ancient traditions,” the Chief Minister said.

“In the recent elections, BJP leaders openly said they needed 400 seats to rewrite the Constitution. The people of India saw through that agenda — and gave them a resounding answer. Now they are back to their old playbook. But let it be clear: our Congress party will stand like a rock against any attempt to weaken or rewrite the Constitution. We will defend its values — secularism, social justice, and democracy — with full strength and conviction,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.