Preamble of Indian Constitution – Explained

“WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR 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 of the Nation;

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

Also Read – Critical Analysis of Judicial Activism in India

Here’s what the preamble means:

• “We, the people of India”: The Indian Constitution begins with these words, emphasizing that the power of the Constitution comes from the people of India, and that the Constitution is a product of the people’s collective will.
• “Sovereign”: India is a sovereign nation, which means that it has complete control over its own affairs and is not subject to external control or influence.
• “Socialist”: India is a socialist country, which means that it is committed to building a society that promotes equality, social justice, and the welfare of all its citizens.
• “Secular”: India is a secular country, which means that it does not promote or favor any particular religion or religious group, but instead treats all religions equally and allows its citizens to practice any religion of their choice.
• “Democratic”: India is a democratic country, which means that the power to govern comes from the people, who exercise it through their elected representatives.
• “Republic”: India is a republic, which means that it has an elected head of state, rather than a hereditary monarch.
• “Justice”: The Constitution is committed to promoting justice in all its forms, including social, economic, and political justice.
• “Liberty”: The Constitution guarantees its citizens the freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship.
• “Equality”: The Constitution guarantees equality of status and opportunity to all its citizens, regardless of their caste, creed, religion, gender, or any other factor.
• “Fraternity”: The Constitution promotes a sense of brotherhood among all its citizens, ensuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.

The preamble to the Indian Constitution has been the subject of several important cases in Indian jurisprudence. Here are a few examples:

1. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973): This case is one of the most significant cases in Indian constitutional history, and it dealt with the scope of amending powers of the Indian Constitution. The Supreme Court held that the basic features of the Constitution, including those enshrined in the preamble, could not be amended.
2. S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994): This case dealt with the issue of misuse of Article 356 of the Constitution, which allows the central government to dismiss a state government in certain situations. The Supreme Court held that the secular nature of the Constitution, as reflected in the preamble, was a basic feature of the Constitution and could not be altered.
3. Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975): This case dealt with the issue of election of the Prime Minister and whether she could be disqualified for corrupt practices. The Supreme Court held that the preamble to the Constitution, which emphasizes the democratic nature of the Indian polity, was the guiding principle for interpreting the Constitution.
4. Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India (1980): This case dealt with the issue of the scope of amending powers of the Indian Constitution. The Supreme Court held that the preamble to the Constitution, which outlines the basic structure of the Constitution, could not be amended as it represented the basic features of the Constitution.
5. BeruBari Union Case (1960): This case dealt with the issue of the transfer of territories between India and Pakistan. The Supreme Court held that the preamble to the Constitution was an integral part of the Constitution and could be used as a guide for interpreting its provisions.
6. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973): As mentioned earlier, this case dealt with the scope of amending powers of the Indian Constitution. The Supreme Court held that the preamble was an integral part of the Constitution and that the basic features of the Constitution, as reflected in the preamble, could not be amended.

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