Preamble to the Indian Constitution

Text of the Preamble

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure all its citizens:

JUSTICE, Social Economic and Political:

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;

EQUALITY of status and of opportunity, and to promote among them all;

FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of nation;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION

The Ingredients of the Preamble

The Preamble of the Indian constitution contains the following ingredients:

• Sources of authority of the Indian Constitution,
• Nature of Indian State
• Objectives of the Constitution
• Date of adoption of the Constitution

Important Keywords in the Preamble

• Soverign
• Secular
• Republic
• Liberty
• Fraternity
• Socialist
• Democratic
• Justice Equality

Sovereign

• India – Neither a dependency nor a dominion
• 1949 membership of commonwealth of nations
• British crown as the head
• Membership of UNO
• Acquire foreign territory or cede part of its territory

Socialist

• Added by 42nd Amendment in 1976
• Before Present in Directive Principles of State Policy
• 1955, Congress party “Socialist pattern of society’ – Avadi Session
• Democratic Socialism
• Mixed economy – Public and Private Sector
• Communistic Socialism
• Production and Distribution; No private Property
• Indian Socialism – blend of Marxism and Gandhism

Secular

• Added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976
• 1974, the supreme court said ‘secular state not expressedly mentioned in the constitution
• Article 25 to 28 – fundamental rights to freedom of religion
• All religions have same status and support

Democratic

• Two types
  1. Direct (Adopted from Switzerland)
     • supreme power – people
     • 4 devices: Referendum, Initiative, Recall and Plebiscite
  2. Indirect (India)
     • supreme power: Representatives elected by people
     • Two kinds – Parliamentary & Presidential
• Dr. Ambedkar (Nov 25, 1949)
  1. Political democracy cannot last unless social democracy
  2. Social democracy: liberty, equality and fraternity

Republic

Democratic Polity into two categories

1. Monarchy
   • Head – King/Queen (Britain)
2. Republic
   1. Elected Head Directly/indirectly (USA, India)

• Political Sovereignty with people, not in single individual
• Public offices open to all citizens without discrimination

Justice

• Secured in Fundamental rights and Directive Principles
• Three forms
  1. Social Justice – All citizens are equal irrespective of caste, creed, race, religion, sex etc.
  2. Economic Justice – Non-Discrimination between people on basis of wealth, income, property
  3. Political Justice – Equal Political rights; equal access to all political offices.

Liberty

• Absence of Restraints
• Providing Opportunities for Development
• Liberty of thought, expression, faith, worship, and belief.

Liberty, equality and fraternity taken from Fresh revolution (1789-1799)

Equality

• Absence of special privileges to any section of society, Without any discrimination
• Equality of Status and Opportunity
• Civic Equality
• Equality before the law (Article 14)
• Prohibition of Discrimination (Article 15)
• Equality of Opportunity – Public Employment (Article 16)
• Abolition of untouchability and titles (Articles 17 & 18)
• Political equality
• Lok Sabha and State assemblies election – Adult Suffrage (Article 326)
• Economic Equality
• Men and Women – Equal
• Equal Pay for equal work

Fraternity

• Brotherhood
• Single Citizenship
• Artice 51A – Promotes Harmony and Brotherhood
• Assures two things
  1. Dignity of the individual
  2. Unity and Integrity of the nation