Remarks on secularism & socialism may provide ammunition to INDIA bloc in Bihar election

In a statement that has reignited political fault lines ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has called for a decision on whether the words “socialist” and “secular” should remain in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. The remark has provided fresh ammunition to the Congress and its allies in the INDIA bloc, who have already been campaigning vigorously on 'Samvidhan Bachao' platform since the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

While the RSS leader argued for a national debate on whether these terms reflect the will of the people today, opposition parties have seized upon it as further evidence of what they claim is the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) long-standing intent to alter the secular and democratic character of the country.

Congress steps up its attack

The Congress party, already in the midst of its nationwide Samvidhan Bachao Rallies, has seized upon Dattatreya Hosabale’s remarks as validation of its long-standing charge that the BJP and the RSS are attempting to erode the foundational principles of the Constitution. The latest of these rallies took place in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, where senior Congress leaders addressed large gatherings and reiterated the party’s commitment to defending constitutional values. Party leaders have also taken to social media to oppose this idea by RSS ideologue.

May give ammuniation to INDIA bloc in Bihar

With the Bihar assembly elections looming large on the political calendar, Dattatreya Hosabale’s call for a review of the words “socialist” and “secular” in the Constitution has added a potent new issue for the INDIA bloc to weaponize against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In a state where social justice, constitutional safeguards, and identity politics dominate the electoral narrative, the timing of the RSS leader's remarks could put the NDA on a sticky wicket.

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With the INDIA bloc likely to launch an aggressive campaign focused on the “defense of the Constitution,” the upcoming Bihar election may evolve into a referendum on ideological vision as much as on governance performance. The BJP-NDA will have to work harder to control the narrative and shift the conversation back to development, infrastructure, and the attack on Lalu Raj theme on which they traditionally perform better.