Chandigarh, Jan 30 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Friday said that the twin principles of socialism and secularism formed the underlying spirit of the Indian Constitution and any deviation from these two basic tenets would be against the interest of the country.
"India being a land of diversities is endowed with people hailing from various religions, castes, creeds and linguistic backgrounds. Our forefathers had laid special thrust on the concepts of socialism and secularism in our Constitution," Badal said, talking to reporters after an event in Kapurthala district, around 160 km from here.
Badal was reacting to a recent controversy over these words being omitted from advertisements issued by the central government on the occasion of the Republic Day.
Badal said the ideals of socialism and secularism were an integral part of our polity.
"So, there is hardly any need for even debating on this issue," Badal said.
Citing the example of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Badal said that even great monarchs like him had made the principle of secularism an essential part of their governance.
"No country can survive without these doctrines as they firmly hold its social fabric together," he added.
The Shiromani Akali Dal, of which Badal is the patron, is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre.
Court rejects Togadia's plea to enter Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Feb 6 (IANS) The Karnataka High Court Friday dismissed the interim prayer of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia to stay the police ban on his entry into this city to
'If you keep a snake in the house, it will bite you too'... Why did Jaishankar remind Pakistan of Hillary Clinton's statement
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has once again lambasted Pakistan on the issue of terrorism. While chairing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Global Counter-Terrorism Approach, Challenge and
Kerala CPI-M leader in jail for 19 days
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 2 (IANS) Firebrand CPI-M leader M.V. Jayarajan was Monday evening lodged at the Central Jail here and would remain in jail for 19 days.Jayarajan Monday surrendered to the
Lock Up teaser: There will be a ruckus on Kangana Ranaut's show, 'Bhai' and 'Papa' will all be targeted
Kangana Ranaut is coming as the host of Ekta Kapoor's show 'Lockup'. He has released the teaser of this reality show. He has shared a 59-second clip and discussions have started about it. Kangana's
Cirkus Trailer: Ranveer Singh's double blast in 'Circus', strings attached to 'Golmaal', trailer released
The explosive trailer of the comedy film 'Circus' has been released. Rohit Shetty has made his blast even before the end of the year 2022. The trailer for the movie 'Circus' is full of comedy. This
Section 66A quashing a victory for Internet users: IAMAI
New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) Applauding the Supreme Court's quashing of Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 on Tuesday, stakeholders among the internet and mobile community termed it
Bhagwant Mann will be the CM face of Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal announced, 93.7 percent people said that Mann is the first choice
Bhagwant Mann will be the chief minister's face of the Aam Aadmi Party in the Punjab Assembly elections. AAP's national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that if he had declared
America and Britain took big steps, irritated by China, China threatened
Many countries are criticizing China's decision to implement the national security law in Hong Kong.
Pahalgam Terror Attack: Pakistan's hand in the attack, two locals and two Pakistanis involved; Sketches of three suspects released
There is anger in the country after the terrorist attack in Pulwama, Jammu, and Kashmir. Security agencies are searching for terrorists. Terrorists are being searched with helicopters and drones.
Imran Khan's MP arrested in Pakistan, tweeted against military officers
Pakistan's investigative agency FIA has arrested Imran Khan's PTI MP Azam Swati in the National Assembly. It is alleged that he had posted posts on social media against army officers. According to the
