Amid a row over the omission of the words “socialist, secular” in the image of the Preamble to the Constitution used in two Republic Day print advertisements issued on behalf of the government, the Information & Broadcasting Ministry on Tuesday said this was an “artistic depiction of an original historical document” and there was no mistake.
The advertisements — issued by the Ministry using a quotation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the foreground — has a watermark of the original Preamble to the Constitution in the background stating: “We the People of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign democratic republic...”
The omission of the words “socialist, secular” — introduced through the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act in 1976 — triggered a controversy as it was seen as “mischievous” when the “secular character of the Indian democracy” stands “threatened by a right-wing government.”
Fire-fighting for the government, Union Minister of State for I&B Rajyavardhan Rathore said: “The controversy surrounding the advertisement is uncalled for. Photograph of the original Preamble was a way of honouring founding fathers of the Constitution.”
Tweeting an image of the original Preamble, he added that “incidentally, the same picture was used in official advertisements earlier also.”
However, an online petition initiated by India Resists, pointed out that “at a time when the people of India, and even the global community, have genuine apprehensions about the secular character of Indian democracy... this omission is utterly condemnable.”
Ministry officials maintained that no correction was required as no mistake was made. Director-General (Media & Communications) A.P. Frank Noronha told The Hindu : “An artistic depiction of an original historical document was used as a watermark to enhance the aesthetic value of the advertisement. The purpose of the advertisement was to highlight Republic Day.”
The advertisements — issued by the Ministry using a quotation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the foreground — has a watermark of the original Preamble to the Constitution in the background stating: “We the People of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign democratic republic...”
The omission of the words “socialist, secular” — introduced through the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act in 1976 — triggered a controversy as it was seen as “mischievous” when the “secular character of the Indian democracy” stands “threatened by a right-wing government.”
Fire-fighting for the government, Union Minister of State for I&B Rajyavardhan Rathore said: “The controversy surrounding the advertisement is uncalled for. Photograph of the original Preamble was a way of honouring founding fathers of the Constitution.”
Tweeting an image of the original Preamble, he added that “incidentally, the same picture was used in official advertisements earlier also.”
However, an online petition initiated by India Resists, pointed out that “at a time when the people of India, and even the global community, have genuine apprehensions about the secular character of Indian democracy... this omission is utterly condemnable.”
Ministry officials maintained that no correction was required as no mistake was made. Director-General (Media & Communications) A.P. Frank Noronha told The Hindu : “An artistic depiction of an original historical document was used as a watermark to enhance the aesthetic value of the advertisement. The purpose of the advertisement was to highlight Republic Day.”
Source- The Hindu
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