The Preamble
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 26th day of November 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.
The preamble is the first page of the constitution. It is like an introduction to the salient features of the constitution. It is the most important part of the constitution. So, it is a favourite topic for examiners. We need to remember every word and even the sequence of words.
Let's memorise the important points of the preamble with an interesting story. It starts with ‘We the People’- means people of the country themselves made this constitution.
A s Singh, Saini. and 'i' of Jalebi was added later in life, so were Social, Secular and i-Integrity added later by 42nd amendment.
Sovereign, Social and Secular come in Preamble in reverse alphabetic order as Sumedh Singh Saini words are.
D- Democratic
R- Republic
S- Sovereign
S- Social
S- Secular
J-Justice
L-Liberty
E-Equality
B-Brotherhood-word used in the preamble is ‘fraternity’
I-Integrity
The date mentioned in the Preamble is 26 Nov 1949 (2 months before the 1st republic Day – 26 January 1950).
Important points
- Preamble is called the introduction or role of the constitution. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution is based on the 'Objectives Resolution' introduced by Pandit Nehru.
- By the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, words like socialist, secular and integrity were included in it.
- Who said what about Preamble?
- It has also been called the Political Horoscope of the Indian Constitution by KM Munshi,
- The Spirit of the Constitution by Thakurdas Bhargava and
- The Identity Card of the Constitution by NA Palkhivala.
- From where was the preamble in the constitution taken?
The idea of Preamble in the Indian Constitution has been taken from the Constitution of America. At the same time, the language of the Preamble has been taken from the Australian Constitution.
- Two most important cases related to the Preamble of Indian Constitution are :
1. Berubari Union Case (1960)
The preamble was added to the constitution when the rest of the constitution had already come into force. In the case of Berubari Union (1960), the Supreme Court held that the Preamble is not a part of the Constitution. However, it was accepted that if a word in any article of the Constitution is ambiguous or has more than one meaning, the Preamble can be used as a guiding principle.
2. Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)
In the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), the Supreme Court overturned its earlier judgment and held that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution. It can be amended under Article 368 of the Constitution, but its basic structure cannot be changed. could. From here it also became clear that the Preamble is part of the basic structure of the Constitution. Once again, in the case of Life Insurance Corporation of India, the Supreme Court held that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution.