Need for national debate on 'political misuse' of secularism, says Mukhtar Naqvi

FORMER Union minister and senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday called for a national debate on the "political misuse” of secularism.

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He also said the original Preamble of the Constitution did not include the terms secularism and socialism, and yet India has always been a secular and socialist country. Naqvi was in Prayagraj to attend the Muharram programme at his native Bhadari village.

"After Independence, Pakistan hoisted the Islamic flag, while India followed the path of 'Sarv Dharma Sambhav'. This is proof of the values, culture and thinking of the majority community of India.

"Because in the original Constitution, there were neither the words secularism nor socialism. Despite this, India has always been a secular and socialist country," the BJP leader said