Constitutional Amendment To Remove The Word “Secular”
The Issue
PETITION TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA AND THE UNION HOME MINISTER
Subject: Petition requesting Parliament to consider a Constitutional Amendment to remove the word “Secular” from the Preamble to the Constitution of India.
To:
The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India,Shri Narendra Modi, Government of India
New Delhi
And
The Hon’ble Union Minister for Home Affairs,
Shri Amit Shah,
Government of India
New Delhi
Respected Sirs,
We, the undersigned citizens of India, respectfully submit this petition requesting the Government of India to initiate a constitutional and parliamentary debate on the continued inclusion of the word “Secular” in the Preamble to the Constitution of India and, subject to constitutional requirements and parliamentary approval, introduce an appropriate Constitutional Amendment Bill seeking its removal.
The Constitution originally adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 described India as a “Sovereign Democratic Republic.” The word “Secular” was subsequently inserted into the Preamble through the Constitution (Forty-Second Amendment) Act, 1976, during the period of the Emergency.
Grounds for this petition:
1. Respect for the original constitutional framework.
The petitioners believe that the constitutional identity adopted by the Constituent Assembly should receive serious consideration when determining whether later additions to the Preamble remain appropriate.
2. Equal citizenship should remain the central principle.
India is home to citizens belonging to many faiths and traditions. We believe that equality before the law, freedom of conscience, freedom of religion and protection against discrimination should remain fully guaranteed irrespective of whether the word “Secular” appears in the Preamble.
The removal of a word from the Preamble should not diminish or remove any constitutional rights or protections enjoyed by citizens.
3. Democratic consideration rather than executive action.
We recognise that changing the Preamble requires the constitutional procedure prescribed by the Constitution and cannot be accomplished merely through an executive decision. Article 368 provides the constitutional framework for amendments, and Parliament’s amending power is subject to constitutional limitations, including the basic-structure doctrine.
Accordingly, this petition respectfully asks the Government to place the issue before Parliament for proper constitutional and democratic consideration.
4. A national debate.
The question of the constitutional description of India concerns every citizen. We therefore believe that any proposal concerning the Preamble should be considered through an open parliamentary process, with appropriate consultation among constitutional experts, elected representatives, civil society and citizens.
Our Prayer
We respectfully request the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Union Home Minister to:
Consider initiating a constitutional review of the inclusion of the word “Secular” in the Preamble.
Consider introducing a Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament proposing the removal of the word “Secular” from the Preamble, subject to the Constitution and the judgments of the Supreme Court of India.
Ensure that any such proposal expressly preserves the fundamental rights and constitutional protections relating to equality, freedom of conscience, freedom of religion and non-discrimination.
Facilitate a broad and democratic national discussion before any proposed amendment is considered by Parliament.
Respect the constitutional procedure and judicial framework governing amendments to the Constitution, including the basic-structure doctrine.
Conclusion
This petition is submitted as a peaceful democratic appeal for Parliament to consider whether the Preamble should continue to contain the word “Secular,” while preserving the equal citizenship, fundamental rights, dignity and freedoms guaranteed to every citizen of India.
We believe that India's constitutional future should be determined through democratic debate, constitutional procedure and respect for the rule of law.
We therefore respectfully request the Government of India to consider this demand and place the matter before Parliament for appropriate consideration.
Jai Hind.
Name: __________________________
Signature: _______________________
City/State: ______________________
Date: ___________________________
Petitioner's Declaration:
I support this petition as a peaceful exercise of my democratic right to express an opinion and request constitutional consideration of the issue described above. I affirm my commitment to equality before the law, constitutional governance and the peaceful democratic process.
5
The Issue
PETITION TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA AND THE UNION HOME MINISTER
Subject: Petition requesting Parliament to consider a Constitutional Amendment to remove the word “Secular” from the Preamble to the Constitution of India.
To:
The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India,Shri Narendra Modi, Government of India
New Delhi
And
The Hon’ble Union Minister for Home Affairs,
Shri Amit Shah,
Government of India
New Delhi
Respected Sirs,
We, the undersigned citizens of India, respectfully submit this petition requesting the Government of India to initiate a constitutional and parliamentary debate on the continued inclusion of the word “Secular” in the Preamble to the Constitution of India and, subject to constitutional requirements and parliamentary approval, introduce an appropriate Constitutional Amendment Bill seeking its removal.
The Constitution originally adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 described India as a “Sovereign Democratic Republic.” The word “Secular” was subsequently inserted into the Preamble through the Constitution (Forty-Second Amendment) Act, 1976, during the period of the Emergency.
Grounds for this petition:
1. Respect for the original constitutional framework.
The petitioners believe that the constitutional identity adopted by the Constituent Assembly should receive serious consideration when determining whether later additions to the Preamble remain appropriate.
2. Equal citizenship should remain the central principle.
India is home to citizens belonging to many faiths and traditions. We believe that equality before the law, freedom of conscience, freedom of religion and protection against discrimination should remain fully guaranteed irrespective of whether the word “Secular” appears in the Preamble.
The removal of a word from the Preamble should not diminish or remove any constitutional rights or protections enjoyed by citizens.
3. Democratic consideration rather than executive action.
We recognise that changing the Preamble requires the constitutional procedure prescribed by the Constitution and cannot be accomplished merely through an executive decision. Article 368 provides the constitutional framework for amendments, and Parliament’s amending power is subject to constitutional limitations, including the basic-structure doctrine.
Accordingly, this petition respectfully asks the Government to place the issue before Parliament for proper constitutional and democratic consideration.
4. A national debate.
The question of the constitutional description of India concerns every citizen. We therefore believe that any proposal concerning the Preamble should be considered through an open parliamentary process, with appropriate consultation among constitutional experts, elected representatives, civil society and citizens.
Our Prayer
We respectfully request the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Union Home Minister to:
Consider initiating a constitutional review of the inclusion of the word “Secular” in the Preamble.
Consider introducing a Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament proposing the removal of the word “Secular” from the Preamble, subject to the Constitution and the judgments of the Supreme Court of India.
Ensure that any such proposal expressly preserves the fundamental rights and constitutional protections relating to equality, freedom of conscience, freedom of religion and non-discrimination.
Facilitate a broad and democratic national discussion before any proposed amendment is considered by Parliament.
Respect the constitutional procedure and judicial framework governing amendments to the Constitution, including the basic-structure doctrine.
Conclusion
This petition is submitted as a peaceful democratic appeal for Parliament to consider whether the Preamble should continue to contain the word “Secular,” while preserving the equal citizenship, fundamental rights, dignity and freedoms guaranteed to every citizen of India.
We believe that India's constitutional future should be determined through democratic debate, constitutional procedure and respect for the rule of law.
We therefore respectfully request the Government of India to consider this demand and place the matter before Parliament for appropriate consideration.
Jai Hind.
Name: __________________________
Signature: _______________________
City/State: ______________________
Date: ___________________________
Petitioner's Declaration:
I support this petition as a peaceful exercise of my democratic right to express an opinion and request constitutional consideration of the issue described above. I affirm my commitment to equality before the law, constitutional governance and the peaceful democratic process.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 18 August 2026