Correct option is D
The term ‘secular’ was added to the Preamble of the Constitution of India through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976. This amendment was passed during the Emergency period under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The term reflects the state's commitment to treating all religions impartially and not favouring any particular religion.
Key Points:
- The term ‘secular’ signifies that India does not have an official religion and that there is no state-sponsored religion.
- It highlights the separation of religion and state, ensuring that the government neither promotes nor interferes with religious practices.
- Prior to this amendment, the word ‘secular’ was not explicitly mentioned in the Preamble, though the Constitution had provisions that safeguarded religious freedoms.
Additional Information:
- The 42nd Amendment also made other changes, such as the addition of the word ‘socialist’ and ‘integrity’ to the Preamble, emphasizing India's commitment to social justice and national unity.
