VerifiedThe brief introductory statement of the Indian Constitution is the Preamble. It sets out specific guidelines for the people of India to conduct themselves in such a way that the Constitution is never dishonoured. It was amended by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act in the year 1976. In this amendment, three new words were added which were Socialist, Secular, and Integrity. Our Preamble introduces us to the Constitution. It safeguards justice, equality, liberty for all the citizens of India. Moreover, it also promotes fraternity among people.
Quick Facts:
Constitution was drafted by Dr B.R. Ambedkar
It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949
It came into force on 26th January 1950
The Preamble and its Significance
The Preamble of our country states that the people of India are solemnly resolved to constitute India to form a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic, and to provide the security of justice, social, economic, and political. As a citizen of India, we have the liberty of thought, expression, belief, worship, and faith. We must have equality of status and opportunity and promote all. The Fraternity assures the dignity of an individual and thus the unity and integrity of the nation. This amendment was adopted and enacted on the 26th day of November in the year 1949.
There are four components of the preamble. It indicates that the source of authority of this Constitution lies in the hand of the people of India. Further, it says, that all the citizens of the country are socialist, secular, democratic and republic. Moreover, it speaks of providing equality, justice, liberty to all the citizens of the country and states that as its objective. The Preamble of the Constitution highlights India as a sovereign state. It means that the country has its independent authority.
It is not a dominion or dependent on any of the external power. Our country as the power to enact laws and take required actions as per the legislature of India that is imposed by certain limitations in the Constitution. Further, when the word socialist was added to the Constitution in the 42nd amendment it aimed to attain a socialist end through democratic means.
This has made India adopt Democratic Socialism which puts forward its faith in a mixed economy. In the mixed economy, both public and private sectors exist together. Besides it also aims to eliminate poverty, disease, ignorance, and inequality in opportunity.
The term Secular was added to the Constitution with the motive that the country should have equal respect. Protection, support and give equal opportunity to all the religions in India. It is regarded as the fundamental rights of the Indian Citizen to have the Freedom of religion. The Constitution also spoke about India as a democratic country which meant people have the right to elect and choose their Government. Further, it is also a republic country which means people can elect the head of the state directly or indirectly. By the term Justice, it meant that equality of justice should be served to all the people of India. Liberty, Equality, and fraternity state that the country is free from domination and should practice equality in society with the feeling of brotherhood.
Therefore, the Preamble can be referred to as the guiding principle that provides the basic ideas, objectives, and philosophy that India stands for. It also provides explanations for constitutional requirements.
