Preamble of Indian Constitution

 Preamble of Indian Constitution

 

What is Preamble?

It is an introduction of the Constitution which includes the sets of principles that must be taken into consideration while rules and regulations to guide the people of the country.

The inspiration and the motto of the citizens are explained in it.

Purpose of the Preamble

• It gives the statement of objectives.

• It shows the source of the authority of the Constitution. 

• It is the key to open the mind of the Constitution makers.

• It mentions the date of adoption and enforcement of the Constitution.

Preamble and Its Interpretation

We, The People of India

   This phrase simply indicates that it’s we people, the people of India who are the source of authority behind the Constitution.

  

   This also has an implication that the Constitution has been drawn up and enacted by the people through their representatives, and not just handed down to them by a king or any outside powers.

having solemnly resolved to constitute India

   That is to say that by declaring such a phrase we have actually abide ourselves in it’s true spirits to follow and give full effect to the policies and principles laid down in the Constitution.

• “sovereign”

   that India is a sovereign, a nation free from any external control or interference i.e. no external power can dictate the government of India. India is internally and externally sovereign i.e. externally free from the control of any foreign power and internally, it has a free government which is directly elected by the people and makes laws that govern the people.

 - the political sovereignty lies in “We, the people..” and the legal sovereignty lies in the Constitution of India.

• “socialist”

   -Incorporated in the Preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, 1976.

  -This is also reflected in the words “..economic justice..” in the preamble.

 -Socialism simply refers to a system of government in which the means of production are wholly or partly controlled by the State.

It implies social and economic equality. 

• Social equality in this context means the absence of discrimination on the grounds only of caste, colour, creed, sex, religion, or language. Under social equality, everyone has equal status and opportunities.

• Economic equality in this context means that the government will endeavour to make the distribution of wealth more equal and provide a decent standard of living for all. This is in effect emphasized a commitment towards the formation of a welfare state. India has adopted a socialistic and mixed economy and the government has framed many laws to achieve the aim.

• “secular”

      -incorporated in the Preamble by the Constitutional (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976.

     - the State does not recognize any religion as its own religion and thus, treats all religions equally. It’s a status of being neither pro-religion nor anti-religion. It is also not based on total neutrality towards religion. It is based on equal respect for all religions.

     - It embodies the age-old concept of ‘Sarva dharma sambhava’.

  - Art. 25 to 28 constitutes the right to freedom of religion

  - Citizens have complete freedom to follow any religion, and there is no official religion. The Government treats all religious beliefs and practices with equal respect and honour.

• “democratic”

   -that “democracy is the governance by the people, of the people and for the people.”

   - The first part of the preamble “We, the people of India” and, its last part “give to ourselves this Constitution” clearly indicate the democratic spirit involved even in the Constitution. India is a democracy.

  - the President of India is an elected representative of the People. In India, President is elected by the people although he is elected indirectly.

  - the people of India elect their governments at all levels (Union, State, and local) by a system of the universal adult franchise; popularly known as "one man one vote".

• “republic”

    The Constitution of India is republican in nature as the executive head of India is not any hereditary monarch. This indicates the form of Government in which the Head of State will be an elected person and not a monarch like the King or the Queen in England. Such elected Head will be the Chief Executive Head.