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 opportunity; and to promote among them all;
  • Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;
  • In our Constituent Assembly this twenty –sixty day of November, 1949, do hereby adopt, Enact And Give to ourselves This Constitution


What is a Preamble?

An Introduction/Preface to the 

  • Borrowed  : Concept – American     Language – Australia
  • Holdsthe essence of the 
 

 Our Preamble 

  • Based on the objectives Resolution (moved on 13 Dec 1946) of  Jawaharlal Nehru accepted by assembly on 22 jan 1947adopted on 26 Nov, 1949 came into force 26 jan 1950.
  • Reveals that the constitution derives its authority  from the People of India ( It starts from we the people of India)
  • Itis given by the people of India to themselves – democratic 
  • Shows Nature of the Constitution – Sovereign, Socialist, Secular Democratic Republic.
  • Outlinesthe objectives of constitution (justice, liberty, equality and fraternity)
  • Outlinesthe basic philosophy and Fundamental values of the 
  • ID cart of constitution – N.A Palkivala
  • Horoscope of our sovereign, democratic, republic – KM Munshi
  • Key  Note of COnstitution – Ernst Barker
  • MHidayatullah (former CJI):”the soul of the constitution”.

 

Terms used under

  1.  Sovereign:-
  • India is an independent state.
  • Nota dominion, nor dependent on any other state/nation 
  • No authority above it.
  • Conduct sits own 
  • India’s membership of the Commonwealth or the UNO does not limit her 
  • Canacquire foreign territory, or cede a part of its territory

 

  1. Socialist:-
    • Earlier an implicit principle expressed through 
    • Made explicit by the 42nd A 1976.
    • INC Avadi Session (1955): Resolution to create a socialist pattern of 
    • India – Democratic Socialism, not communist 
    • Communist socialism: state socialism – Government owned/Controlled –
      • Nationalisation of means of production
      • Abolition of private 
      • China, Russia.
    • Democratic Socialism: mixed economy – India
      • SC:aims to end poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality of opportunity.
      • Mixedform of Gandhian Socialism with influences of Marxism 
      • NEP1991 diluted socialism principles

 

  1. Secular:-
    • Addedwith the 42nd CA 
    • Butimplicit through articles 25-28.
    • Negative – No Govt Interfrenece
    • Positive – Govt Interference – Eg. India
    • Indian constitution embodies the positive concept of Secularism i.e. all religions inour country (irrespective of their strength) have the same status and support from 

 

  1. Democratic:-
    • Powerwith the 
    • For the People, By the People, of the People.
    • Popularsovereignty (Based on doctrine of popular sovereignty)
    • Indiahas representative parliamentary democracy with
      • UAF
      • Regular elections
      • Independent Judiciary
      • Ruleof Law
    • Preamble indicates existence of political and social and economic 
    • Democracy is of two types: direct & indirect
    • Direct: Switzerland has direct democracy in which people exercise their supreme power  
    • Ithas devices:
      • Referendum : a proposed legislation is referred to the electoral for settlement by direct vote.
      • Initiative : People can propose a bill.
      • Recall : Voters can remove a representative.
      • Plebiscite : mid of obtaining opinion of the people on any public  Usually used for territorial disputes.
    • Indirect : People not not directly involved in the law making
    • Indian constitution provides for representative parliamentary democracy under the executive is responsible to the Legislative for the all its policies and 

 

  1. Republic:-
    • Head of state is Elected and elected indirectly for fixed period of 5 years e, President
    • INDIA, USA.
    • Popular Sovereignty with the people, not in an individual like a 
    • Absence of a privileged class.
    • Public office opens to all citizens without any 

 

  1. Justice:-
    • Idea of Justice: From Russian Revolution
    • Secured through FR and 
    • Three aspects of justice in the preamble
  2. Social: equal treatment without any social distinctions (e.g. on basis of caste, sex, religion etc)
    • Absence of privileges for any section of the 
    • Improvement of conditions of disadvantaged 
  3. Economic: Non- discrimination on basis of  Removing wealth, income, property inequalities.
  4. Political: equal political rights, access to political offices and institutions 
  5. Distributive justice: Combination of economic and social justice

 

  1. Liberty:-
    • Ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity in Preamble – French Revolution (1789– 1799)
    • Absenceof restraints on the activities of 
    • Providingopportunities for the development of individual 

 

  1. Equality:-
    • Absence ofspecial privileges to any section of the society
    • Provisionof adequate opportunities for all individuals without any 
    • Preamble secures toall citizens of India equality of status and opportunity.
    • Equality- civic, political and economic
    • Civic equality assured through.
      • Article14: equality before Law
      • Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of 
      • Article16: equality of opportunity in public 
      • Article17: Abortion of untouchability
      • Article18: Abolition of 
    • Political equality through:
  • Article325: no discrimination on inclusion in electoral 
  • Article326: right to vote; 
  • Economic equality through:

– Article 39 (DPSP): equal pay for equal work for men, women, right to an adequate livelihood.

  1. Fraternity:-
    • Sense of brotherhood (sorority: sisterhood)
    • Expressedthrough system of single 
    • FD:Article 51- A
      • Duty to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst allthe people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of 
    • Fraternity has to secure dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the
      • Individualdignity: Material betterment, democratic set up, personal 
      • Unityand integrity of the nation: Psychological and territorial 
      • Article1: India is a union of 

 

Status of Preamble :

  • Like any other part of the Constitution, the Preamble was also enacted by the Constituent Assembly; but, after the rest of the Constitution was already enacted (INDEPENDENT).
  • Nonjusticiable (not enforceable by law)
  • Nota source of  power to legislature.
  • Nota Limitation of powers of Legislature.

 

Pramble as Part of  The consitution :

  • BerubariUnion Case, 1960 – SC Said Preamble not a par
  • KesavanandaBharati case,1973 – Is a part.
  • LICof India case,1995 – Again held Preamble as an integral Part.

 

Amendability of Preamble :

 Kesavananda Bharati case: SC used Preamble can be amended under Article 368, subject to basic features document. (Means Article 368 cannot be used to destroy or delete/damage the basic elements or the fundamental features of the Constitution, which are enshrined in the Preamble.

  • Three new words added: Socialist, Secular & Integrity – 42nd Amendment act,1976.