"Since they are not able to speak directly, speaking against secularism and socialism": Akhilesh Yadav

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 29 (ANI): Days after the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) suggested reconsidering the inclusion of the terms "socialist" and "secular" in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh stated on Sunday that since they are not able to speak directly, they are speaking against secularim and socialism.
Speaking to the media, Akhilesh Yadav said, "Certain people who are against the reservation are not able to speak against the reservation for fear of losing out on votes. They are opposed to the establishment of social justice... Since they are not able to speak directly, they are speaking against secularism and socialism".
Earlier, RSS general secretary Hosabale suggested reconsidering the inclusion of the terms "socialist" and "secular" in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
Hosabale was addressing an event on the 50th anniversary of the emergency, held at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, jointly organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (under the Ministry of Culture) and the Ambedkar International Centre.
Speaking at the event, he emphasised that the emergency wasn't just a misuse of power but an attempt to crush civil liberties. Millions were imprisoned, and freedom of the press was suppressed.
He remarked that during the emergency, terms like "socialist" and "secular" were forcibly inserted into the Constitution -- a move that needs to be reconsidered.
Additionally, in a press conference, Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe at the BJP government over its 'double-engine government' slogan, saying that "both engines are busy arranging for fuel"
Akhilesh Yadav's remark came while criticising the BJP government over the closure of MSME companies.
"BJP ki double engine ki sarkar mein har engine eendhan ke jugad mein laga hai'. Under the BJP rule, business is going through a period of economic and social emergency... Yesterday, we saw in the newspaper some government data indicating that 35,000 MSME companies shut down in the last year... This government is constantly making decisions to increase only the profits of the middlemen," Yadav said.
However, on June 27, Uttar Pradesh Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Rakesh Sachan highlighted the state's thriving MSME sector, with over 96 lakh units generating employment for lakhs of people.
Speaking at an International MSME event, Sachan said, "MSMEs are growing rapidly in Uttar Pradesh. Entrepreneurs from various districts of the state who are benefiting from government initiatives have gathered here today. Currently, there are over 96 lakh MSME units operating in the state." (ANI)