Sanatan Sanstha office in Goa

NEW DELHI: Sanatan Sanstha , a Hindu group, on Monday demanded that the Indian Constitution be amended to exclude the word ‘secular’ from it, a demand that was opposed by Union minister Ramdas Athawale later in the day.

The right-wing group reasoned that the word ‘secular’ in the Constitution’s preamble puts Hindus at a disadvantage under “the garb” of being secular.

“Ours is a very constitutional demand. Under the garb of being secular, there is injustice being meted out against Hindus,” said Sanatan Sanstha spokesperson Chetan Rajhans, during a press conference at the Marathi Patrakar Sangh on Monday.

He added that the Constitution does not define which aspect of India is secular—the country, the government, or the people. Initially, the Constitution did not have the word ‘secular’, said Rajhans. It was added through the 42nd amendment in 1976 at the time of the Emergency by former PM Indira Gandhi , who he said was under pressure from various left and anti-Hindu groups.

“Hindus are at a disadvantage under the current Constitution. There are commissions for the minorities, there is no such thing for Hindus," added Rajhans.

However, later in the day, the Sanstha's demand was opposed by Athawale, Union minister for social justice, who’s also a Dalit leader, reported news agency PTI. Athavale said he was opposed to the concept of a Hindu nation. The word ‘secular’’ has kept the country integrated, he added.

"Notwithstanding anybody's demand, the word will remain in the Constitution forever," he told reporters.

Athawale, who’s chief of the Republican Party of India (A), an NDA ally, demanded a proper probe into what he said are “serious allegations” against the Sanstha.

Yet, the Union minister said a ban on the Goa-based Sanstha, as demanded by the Congress and other parties, would be of little use.

"Thoughts of a person cannot be stopped by killing him. No one should endorse violence. But those involved in violence should face stern action," said Athavale, adding that the Narendra Modi government is a secular government.

"The 'sab ka sath, sab ka vikas' motto of the BJP is a secular thought," he added.

Earlier on Monday, the Sanstha denied any links with the nine men recently arrested in connection with the Nalasopara arms haul case and the killings of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar and journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh.

Rajhans said the Sansthan is a ‘spiritual, charitable trust’ whose name had been dragged into many cases even in the past.

“There has been a demand to ban us, but for what? The investigating agencies have not officially named any organization in the any of the cases. We are being targeted by people for their political aspirations," added Rajhans.

(With inputs from agencies)