Controversy Over Constitution Preamble Exclusion from School Textbooks

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has called for privilege proceedings against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing him of misleading Rajya Sabha about the inclusion of the Preamble to the Constitution in NCERT textbooks. The Congress claims the Preamble has been omitted from recent editions, while Pradhan insists it is included.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has submitted a notice in the Rajya Sabha to initiate privilege proceedings against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Ramesh accused Pradhan of misleading the House on the contentious issue of the alleged omission of the Preamble to the Constitution from certain NCERT textbooks.

In his letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, Ramesh stated that on August 7, 2024, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised concern over the exclusion of the Preamble from textbooks for Classes 3 and 6. However, Dharmendra Pradhan claimed that the textbooks still included the Preamble, which Ramesh argues is incorrect.

Ramesh provided editions of the textbooks as evidence, asserting that the omission represents a 'grave affront' to the education of children about the Constitution. He has requested the initiation of privilege proceedings against Pradhan, citing that misleading the House constitutes a breach of privilege and contempt.

(With inputs from agencies.)