Will not change Preamble of Constitution or end reservation: Rajnath Singh
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New Delhi: Union Minister Rajnath Singh said that the BJP would not change the Preamble of the Indian Constitution or end reservation, responding to Rahul Gandhi’s claim that the BJP would "tear up and throw away" the Constitution if it retains power.
In an interview with NDTV he said that the Congress, which had changed the Preamble in 1976, is targeting the BJP to make it a poll issue.
"In 1976, the first time a change was made to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. And that was done by Indira Gandhi,"Singh was quoted as saying.
"And our constituent assembly was then of the consensus that amendments can be made to the Constitution as required. Congress and other political parties have done this a lot. But there is no question of making changes in the preamble. But they did it, and are now trying to blame us. The BJP does not even think about it," he was quoted as saying.
Rajnath Singh's remarks becomes relevant just as many on the Opposition expressed concern that the BJP may drop the word "secularism" from the Preamble of the Constitution.
Also, expanding further, Singh said his party will not stop caste-based reservation, but will never give it based on religion.
"Why would we end reservation? This country needs reservation for OBC, ST. They (Opposition) are the ones talking about giving reservations on the basis of religion. But we say that in no situation will we give religion-based reservation as the Constitution does not allow it," the Defence Minister reportedly said.