Notes on Keywords of The Preamble

The Preamble lays forth the fundamental goals that the constitution attempts to create and promote. Additionally, it guides how the constitution should be interpreted legally. The constitution’s Preamble is based on Pandit Nehru’s “objectives resolution,” which he authored and proposed, and the constituent assembly accepted it on the 26th of November, 1949.

The Preamble

“We the People of India” declares the ultimate society of the people of India as the source of all constitutional authority.

“In our constituent assembly this 26th of November 1949, do hereby adopt, enact, and give to ourselves this constitution; liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship; equality of status and opportunity; and promote among them all; fraternity assuring dignity.”

Keywords of the Preamble

Sovereign

1. This term signifies that India is a sovereign state; that is neither a dependent nor a dominion of another country.
2. India may either acquire foreign land or transfer a portion of its territory to a foreign state because it is a sovereign state.
3. Individuals have the sole ability to make decisions concerning both internal and external situations.
4. No foreign force has the authority to impose its will on the Government of India.
5. It denotes that India is a sovereign country, not a colony or a relying party.

Socialism

1. Socialism is a socio-economic system in which everyone in a society has an equal say in creating, distributing, and trading resources.
2. This sort of ownership is possible under a democratic form of government.
3. A cooperative system has also been used to denote socialism, in which each member of society owns a piece of communal resources.

Secularism

1. The word refers to the Indian Government’s treatment of all religions as equal in terms of respect, protection, and assistance.
2. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment, enacted in 1976, included it in the Preamble.
3. Before being included in the Constitution’s Preamble, the word secular occurred in one place, Article 25 (2)(a).
4. A state will equally defend all religions, but it will not be based on religion.

Democratic

1. The word signifies that India’s Constitution has a well-established shape based on the people’s will expressed via elections.
2. The Indian Constitution established a representative parliamentary democracy, in which the executive is responsible for all policies and acts to the legislature.
3. The term “democratic” is used in the Preamble broadly, referring to political and socio-economic democracy.

Republic

1. The word denotes that the general public chooses the state’s leader. The elected head of state in India is the President of India.
2. For a definite tenure of five years, the President of India is indirectly elected. A republic also entails two additional characteristics: first, the people’s political authority is vested in them rather than in a single individual, such as a king; and second, there is no favoured class. Therefore, all public posts are accessible to all citizens without discrimination.

Justice

1. In the interest of social justice, discrimination based on birth, caste, colour, sex, or religion should be eradicated.
2. All people should have equal access to public appointment opportunities to achieve this goal.
3. The government must work for all people’s common good.
4. The notion of a welfare state in the Directive Principles is the personification of instructions for achieving the social fairness envisioned in the Preamble.

Equality

1. If rights aren’t shared equitably by all members of society, they’re useless.
2. It is necessary to promote social and economic equality for everyone to benefit from these rights.
3. Fundamental Rights restrict the state from discriminating against citizens based on caste, race, gender, or religion.
4. Among other things, all citizens now have access to public areas, titles of honour have been prohibited, and untouchability has been abolished.

Liberty

1. For a free and civilised existence, democracy is inextricably linked to the concept of liberty; all community members must have some fundamental/basic rights.
2. Freedom of expression, belief, faith, worship, and thought define basic rights in the Preamble.
3. This freedom is explicitly protected in the chapter on Fundamental Rights, with some limitations; after all, if democracy is to thrive, liberty must not descend into licence.

Fraternity

1. Relates to the inhabitants’ sense of brotherhood and sisterhood and their sense of belonging to the country.
2. The Preamble states that fraternity must protect: human dignity and national unity and integrity.
3. The 42nd Amendment to the constitution adds “integrity” to the Preamble (1976).

Conclusion

India’s Constitution is the world’s most comprehensive written constitution. It is even referred to as a living constitution; as a result, it has evolved. Due to these modifications, the Indian Constitution remains applicable. The preamble summarises the core concept and ideas that the constitution is founded on: political, moral, and religious. It embodies the founding fathers’ goals and aspirations while containing the constituent assembly’s big and noble vision.