12

Jan

Rebuilding the Republic: Voices Rise in Delhi to Defend Constitutional Morality and Secularism

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Syed Khalique Ahmad

New Delhi | Monday | 12 January 2026

Amid growing concerns over the future of India’s constitutional values, journalists, lawyers, political commentators and social activists gathered at the Constitution Club of India on Saturday to issue a strong call for the defence of secularism and constitutional morality. The public dialogue, titled “Rebuilding the Republic: Restoring Constitutional Morality in India,” was organised to commemorate the anniversary of the inclusion of the words ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.

The programme, organised by the collective ‘Hum Bharat Ke Log’, became a platform for sharp critique, historical reflection and political warning, with speakers cautioning against what they described as a systematic erosion of constitutional values through legal and institutional means.

Senior journalist Qurban Ali set the tone by reminding the audience of India’s pluralistic heritage. “India’s first freedom struggle was led by Bahadur Shah Zafar, while the last phase was under Mahatma Gandhi. This continuity reflects the country’s inclusive character,” he said. Emphasising the importance of civic education, he added that children must be taught the Preamble in schools so that they grow up as responsible citizens rooted in constitutional values. “This country was secular, is secular, and will remain secular,” he asserted.

Article at a Glance
Journalists, lawyers, activists and commentators gathered at the Constitution Club of India for a public dialogue titled “Rebuilding the Republic: Restoring Constitutional Morality in India” to mark the anniversary of adding ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ to the Preamble.
Speakers warned of a gradual erosion of constitutional values through legal and institutional means and stressed the need for vigilance. Senior journalist Qurban Ali highlighted India’s pluralistic heritage and the importance of teaching the Preamble to children. Advocate Avni Bansal cautioned that constitutional changes often occur slowly through laws rather than open declarations.
Shahnawaz Alam urged citizens to speak boldly for secularism, while others underlined equality, inclusivity, and the Opposition’s responsibility to defend democratic principles. The programme concluded with a collective reaffirmation of the Constitution’s core ideals.

One of the strongest interventions came from senior Supreme Court advocate Avni Bansal, who warned against complacency. “No dictator ever openly says ‘change the Constitution.’ A dictator changes it slowly through laws themselves,” she said. Bansal alleged that constitutional principles were being diluted incrementally and urged citizens to remain vigilant. “Do not wait for the day the Constitution is officially amended. The process is already underway. Protecting the Constitution is the responsibility of all of us,” she said, drawing applause from the audience.

Presiding over the programme, activist and commentator Shahnawaz Alam criticised the government for what he called its indifference towards promoting constitutional awareness. “It is the government’s responsibility to organise constitutional programmes across the country, but it will not do so,” he remarked. Referring to the inclusion of the word ‘secular’ in the Preamble during Indira Gandhi’s tenure, Alam said she defended secularism even at the cost of her life. “She refused to discriminate on religious grounds, even when advised to do so for her own safety,” he said.

Alam also challenged the fear of political polarisation. “People say we should not speak up because it will polarise society. Such frauds must be confronted wherever they are,” he said. Citing Jawaharlal Nehru’s first election campaign, Alam recalled how Nehru openly sought votes for a progressive and secular India, beginning his campaign from Jalandhar, a city deeply scarred by Partition. “We must have the courage to ask for votes for a secular India,” he stressed.

Senior journalist Pankaj Srivastava underlined the egalitarian vision of the Constitution. “The Constitution sees all of us equally as citizens. It teaches us to behave as citizens first. Restoring this idea is the need of the hour,” he said.

Another senior journalist, Prashant Tandon, emphasised inclusivity as the foundation of constitutional strength. He alleged that there were persistent efforts to remove the words ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ from the Preamble. “People and political parties must continue to oppose such attempts. Today’s programme is part of that resistance,” he said.

Raising concerns about political accountability, Masihuzzama Ansari, Chairman of the National Federation of Youth Movement (NFYM), questioned the silence of the Opposition during instances of alleged injustice. “When citizens face oppression, where is the Opposition? Why is it absent from the streets?” he asked. Ansari stressed that in a democracy, the Opposition plays a crucial role, especially when the Constitution’s core spirit is under threat.

Several other speakers, including Hemant Pradhan, Mudassir Shams, Ruby Arun, Sharad Jaiswal, Tamjeed Ahmed, Shivram Valmiki, Shoaib Khan, Deepak Chotiwala, Arif Ali Turk, Masood Khan, Shahnawaz Khan, Shamsul Hasan and Misbahul Haq, also shared their perspectives on constitutional values, social justice and democratic responsibility.

During the event, eminent journalists and social activists were honoured for their contributions to public discourse and democratic engagement. The programme aimed to spark deeper reflection on the relevance of constitutional morality in contemporary India and to explore ways to strengthen democratic institutions.

The dialogue was conducted by Dr Mohammad Khalid Khan. The event began with the national anthem and concluded with a collective reading of the Preamble to the Constitution, reaffirming the commitment to justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, the foundational ideals of the Indian Republic.

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