Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed concern over the misuse of the word secular for political purposes. Mr Singh said, its misuse should come to an end as its rampant misuse have led to instances of tension in the society. Initiating discussion in the Lok Sabha on commitment to India's Constitution as part of 125th birth anniversary celebration of Dr Ambedkar, he said, Dr Ambedkar had never thought of putting the term secularism in the Preamble because it is inbuilt in Indian system. <br/><br/>Mr Singh said the word secular was incorporated in the Preamble through an amendment in 1976. The Home Minister also objected to the use of Hindi word Dharam Nirpekshta for secularism. He said, the literal translation of secularism is Panth Nirpekshta and it should be regularly used as it is the official translation of the term.<br/> <br/>The Home Minister said government is committed to abolish untouchability at any cost, which was the dream of Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar. Mr Singh said the present government has started Swachh Bharat Mission in this direction and termed it a social movement. He said, Dr Ambedkar introduced the concept of reservation to bring equality in the society. <br/><br/>Mr Singh clarified that the concept of reservation should not be diluted as it is a socio-political necessity. Contending that the issue of reservation has been politicised, the Home minister said, quota is a Constitutional provision and there is no scope for any further debate on it. <br/><br/>Stating people try to present Dr. Ambedkar as a dalit leader, Rajnath Singh said Baba Saheb should not be restricted to such a narrow purview. Mr Singh drew a parallel between Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr Ambedkar saying while Patel was unifying force and Dr Ambedkar, a binding force. The Home Minister said Jawaharlal Nehru played an essential role in establishing democracy.<br/><br/>Participating in the discussion, Congress leader Mrs Sonia Gandhi targeted the government over the issue of intolerance alleging that the ideals and principles that are embedded in the Constitution and inspired the leaders are now under attack. Mrs Gandhi asserted that there is no alternative whatsoever to Constitutional methods.<br/><br/>The Congress leader said, during the last few months what is happening is against what makers of the Constitution had conceived. Without referring to the present government, she said those who have no faith in the Constitution and also had no role in its making are chanting its name. Mrs. Gandhi said working of a Constitution does not depend wholly upon its nature, but how it is implemented.<br/><br/>Congress President lauded the contribution of Dr B R Ambedkar, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Dr Rajendra Prasad and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in the making of the Constitution. She said, the history of Indian Constitution is very old and it is intricately linked to the history of Indian National Congress. <br/><br/>Several other opposition parties also raked up the issue of intolerance saying the untoward incidents witnessed in the recent past should be condemned as they send out negative messages. They asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the matter. <br/><br/>TMC leader Sudip Bandhopadhyay said it should be looked at as to why dignified artists including actor Aamir Khan are feeling uneasy in the country. <br/><br/>BJD leader Tathagata Satpathy said incidents of intolerance should not be tolerated, but only speaking about the issues would not help address the problems.