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You are here: Home / Polity / Preamble of the Constitution

Preamble of the Constitution

April 2, 2020 by BureaucratONE Leave a Comment Last Updated April 2, 2020

Table of Contents hide
1 Preamble of the Constitution
2 Ingredients of constitution
3 Keywords in Preamble
4 Significance of Preamble
5 Preamble as part of constitution and amend ability

Preamble of the Constitution

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST (42nd CAA) SECULAR(42nd CAA) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to 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 (42nd CAA) of the Nation;

 IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this 26th day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.

  • Preamble = Identity card of the constitution - N A Palkhivala
  • Objective Resolution (JLN) – Became preamble

Ingredients of constitution

  • Source of authority of the constitution – people
  • Nature of Indian state – SSSDR
  • Objective - JLEF
  • Date of adoption – Nov,26,1949

Keywords in Preamble

  • Sovereign – Not dependent
  • Socialist – 42nd CAA
    • democratic socialism not communistic socialism
    • mixed economy – blend of Marxism and Gandhism leaning heavily towards Gandhian socialism
  • Secular – 42nd CAA
    • Non-religious, not irreligious
    • protect all religion
  • Democratic
    • Direct (Switzerland)
      • referendum (on a bill)
      • initiative (people can propose a bill)
      • recall
      • plebiscite (vote for territorial dispute)
    • Indirect (India)
      • representative
      • 2 types
        • parliamentary
        • presidential
  • Republic
    • Vesting political sovereignty on people
    • Absence of privileged class
  • Justice
    • Russian revolution
    • {social, economic} = distributive justice
      • equal treatment
      • no privileges
      • positive discrimination
    • political
      • equal political rights
      • equal access to political office
      • equal voice
  • Liberty
    • French Revolution
    • absence of restraints
    • of thought, expression, belief, faith & worship
  • Equality
    • French Revolution
    • absence of special privilege – civic(A14-18)
    • political
      • A325 not based on RRCS for inclusion in electoral roll
      • A326 - adult suffrage
    • economic (A3 -DPSP -equal wages)
  • Fraternity
    • French Revolution
    • brotherhood
    • single citizenship
    • FD's – A51A – promote brotherhood

Significance of Preamble

  • Basic philosophies
  • Fundamental values – political, moral and religious
  • Grand and noble vision
  • Reflects the dreams and aspiration
  • Horoscope of our sovereign democratic republic
  • Soul of the constitution
  • Jewel of constitution
  • Worth of the constitution
  • Key-note – Sir Ernest Barker – opening page "Principles of secular and political Theory"

Preamble as part of constitution and amend ability

  • Berubari Union case – 1960 – not a part/not amendable
  • Kesavananda Bharati case – 1973 – part/amendable
  • LIC of Indian case – 1995 – part
  • Amended only once in 1976 - 42nd CAA - Socialist, Secular, Integrity
  • Neither a source of power
  • Non-justiciable

Filed Under: Polity

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