3 Things The secular-socialist debate, Pak athletes in India, and refugees surge
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Jul 8, 2025 Apurva Vishwanath, National Legal Editor at The Indian Express, discusses the vital role of 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Indian Constitution and the potential repercussions of altering these terms. Mihir Vasavda, co-host of the Express Sports Podcast, shares insights on Pakistani athletes participating in sports events in India despite visa controversies. The conversation also covers the pressing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and its impact on refugees seeking safety in Mizoram.
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Origins of Socialist and Secular Terms
- The inclusion of 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Indian Constitution's Preamble reflects political dynamics of the 1970s, not just the Emergency period.
- These terms aimed to affirm the constitutional identity against judiciary and political challenges, emphasizing India’s welfare and religious equity ideals.
Unique Indian Secularism Concept
- Indian secularism differs from Western secularism by promoting equidistance from all religions rather than exclusion of religion.
- Constitution enshrines secular values through anti-discrimination Articles more strongly than the Preamble’s explicit mention.
Supreme Court Upholds Preamble Words
- The Supreme Court in 2024 affirmed there is no contemporary reason to remove 'secular' and 'socialist' from the Preamble.
- Although socialism’s meaning evolves, India still embraces welfare state principles reflecting those ideals.