The Preamble of Indian Constitution and its Importance



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.


The Preamble and its Importance:

  • The Preamble to the Constitution sets out the main objectives which the Constituent Assembly intended to achieve.
  • The “Objective Resolution”, proposed by Pandit Nehru and passed by the Constituent Assembly, ultimately became the makers of the Constitution.
    • The Preamble is non-justiciable in nature.
    • The Constitution (42nd Amendment)Act, 1976 amended the Preamble and added the words Socialist, Secular and Integrity to the Preamble.
    • It can neither provide substantive power (definite and real power) to the three organs of the State nor limit their powers under the provisions of the constitution.
    • The Preamble cannot override the specific provisions of the constitution.
    • In case of any conflict between the two, the latter shall prevail.
    • The Preamble declares that it is the people of India, who had enacted, adopted and given the Constitution to themselves.
    • Thus, sovereignty lies ultimately with the people.
    • It also declares the ideals and aspirations of the people that need to be achieved.
    • Ideals are different from aspirations. While the former has been achieved with the Constitution proclaiming India as Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic, the latter includes Justice, Liberty and Fraternity, which are yet to be achieved.
    • The ideals are the means to achieve aspiration.


       

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