<–2/”>a >The Constitution of India begins with a Preamble which describes the nature of the Indian State and the objectives it is committed to secure. K.M. Munshi describes The Preamble as the political horoscope of the constitution. Thakur Dass Bhargawa says Preamble is the most precious part and the soul of the constitution.
The Preamble reads:
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, political;
Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
Equality of status and 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 words ‘Socialist ‘Secular” and ‘Integrity were initially not there in the Preamble. These were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976) of the Constitution.
Preamble: Features:
I. The Source of Authority:
Popular Sovereignty:
The Preamble categorically accepts the principle of Popular Sovereignty. It begins with the words: ‘We the people of India’. These words testify to the fact that the people of India are’ the ultimate source of all authority. The Government derives its power from them.
II. Nature of State:
The Preamble describes five cardinal features of the Indian state:
(1) India is a Sovereign State:
The Preamble proclaims that India is a sovereign state. Such a proclamation denotes the end of rule over India. It testifies to the fact that India is no longer a dependency or colony or possession of British Crown. As a sovereign independent state, India is free both internally and externally to take her own decisions and implement these for her people and territories.
(2) India is a Socialist State:
In 1976, the Preamble was amended to include the word ‘Socialism’. It is now regarded as a prime feature of the State. It reflects the fact that India is committed to secure social, economic and political justice for all its people. India stands for ending all forms of exploitation as well as for securing equitable distribution of income, Resources and wealth. This has to be secured by peaceful, constitutional and democratic means. The term ‘India is a Socialist state’ really means, ‘India is a democratic socialist state.’
(3) India is A Secular State:
By the 42nd Amendment, the term ‘Secular’ was incorporated in the Preamble. Its inclusion simply made the secular nature of the Indian Constitution more explicit. As a state India gives special status to no religion. There is no such thing as a state religion of India. India guarantees equal freedom to all religions. All religions enjoy equality of status and respect.
(4) India is a Democratic State:
The Preamble declares India to be a Democratic State. The Constitution of India provides for a democratic system. The authority of the government rests upon the sovereignty of the people. The people enjoy equal political rights. The people freely participate in the democratic process of self rule.
They elect their government. For all its acts, the government is responsible before the people. The people can change their government through Elections. The government enjoys limited powers. It always acts under the Constitution which represents the supreme will of the people.
(5) India is a Republic:
The Preamble declares India to be a Republic. Negatively, this means that India is not ruled by a monarch or a nominated head of state. Positively, it means that India has an elected head of state who wields power for a fixed term. President of India is the elected sovereign head of the state. He holds a tenure of 5 years. Any Indian citizen can get elected as the President of India.
III. Four Objectives of the Indian State:
The Preamble lists four cardinal objectives which are to be “secured by the state for all its citizens”.
These are:
(1) Justice:
India seeks to secure social, economic and political justice for its people.
(i) Social Justice:
Social Justice means the absence of socially privileged classes in the Society and no discrimination against any citizen on grounds of caste, creed, colour, religion, sex or place of birth. India stands for eliminating all forms of exploitations from the society.
(ii) Economic Justice:
Economic Justice means no discrimination between man and man on the basis of income, wealth and economic status. It stands for equitable distribution of wealth, economic equality, end of monopolistic control over means of production and distribution, decentralisation of economic resources, and securing of adequate opportunities to all for earning their livelihoods.
(iii) Political Justice:
Political Justice means equal, free and fair opportunities to the people for participation in the political process. It stands for the grant of equal political rights to all the people without any discrimination. The Constitution of India provides for a liberal Democracy in which all the people have the right and freedom to participate.
(2) Liberty:
The Preamble declares liberty to be the second cardinal objective to be secured. It includes liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship. The grant of Fundamental Rights (Part III) including the right to freedom is designed to secure this objective. Liberty of faith and worship is designed to strengthen the spirit of Secularism-2/”>Secularism.
(3) Equality:
The Preamble declares Equality as the third objective of the Constitution. Equality means two basic things:
(i) Equality of status i.e. natural equality of all persons as equal and free citizens of India enjoying equality before law.
(ii) Equality of opportunity i.e. adequate opportunities for all to develop. For securing the equality of status and opportunity, the Constitution of India grants and guarantees the fundamental Right to Equality.
(4) Fraternity:
Promotion of Fraternity among the people is the fourth objective is to promote Fraternity among all the people. Fraternity means the inculcation of a strong feeling of spiritual and psychological unity among the people. It is designed to secure dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the nation.
IV. Date of Adoption and Enactment:
In its final paragraph, the Preamble specifies the important historical fact that the Constitution was adopted on 26 November, 1949. It was on this day that the Constitution received the signatures of the President of the Constituent Assembly and was declared passed.
V. Self-made Constitution:
The Constitution of India is an adopted, enacted and self-made constitution. It was adopted and enacted by the Constituent Assembly acting as the elected representative body of the people of India. The Preamble states the philosophical foundations of the Constitution India and enumerates its objectives.
It constitutes a Key for the interpretation of the Constitution. It is a part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution. Through, it’s Preamble, the Constitution a commits itself to Democracy, Republicanism, Socialism, Secularism, Liberalism and Welfare State. The Preamble states the objectives which the Constitution is committed to secure for all the people of India.
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The Preamble to the United States Constitution is the introductory statement of the Constitution. It is not part of the Constitution itself, but rather a statement of the Constitution’s purpose. The Preamble states that the Constitution was created to “form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”
The Preamble is significant because it provides a framework for understanding the Constitution. It states the Constitution’s purpose and goals, and it helps to interpret the Constitution’s provisions. The Preamble is also significant because it is a statement of the American people’s commitment to democracy and the Rule of Law.
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is as follows:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The Preamble is divided into seven clauses. The first clause, “We the People of the United States,” states that the Constitution is created by the people of the United States. The second clause, “in Order to form a more perfect Union,” states that the Constitution is created to improve the government of the United States. The third clause, “establish Justice,” states that the Constitution is created to establish justice in the United States. The fourth clause, “insure domestic Tranquility,” states that the Constitution is created to ensure peace and order in the United States. The fifth clause, “provide for the common defence,” states that the Constitution is created to provide for the defense of the United States. The sixth clause, “promote the general Welfare,” states that the Constitution is created to promote the well-being of the people of the United States. The seventh clause, “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,” states that the Constitution is created to secure the blessings of liberty to the people of the United States and to future generations.
The Preamble is a powerful statement of the American people’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law. It is a reminder that the Constitution is created by the people and for the people. It is also a reminder that the Constitution is a living document that can be amended to meet the needs of the people.
The Preamble is a significant part of the United States Constitution. It provides a framework for understanding the Constitution and its purpose. It is also a statement of the American people’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
What is the Preamble?
The Preamble is the introductory statement of the United States Constitution. It explains the Constitution’s purpose and why it was written.
What is the Significance of the Preamble?
The Preamble is significant because it is the foundation of the United States government. It sets forth the goals and principles of the Constitution, and it has been used to interpret the Constitution in court cases.
What are some frequently asked questions about the Preamble?
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Preamble:
- What does the Preamble say?
The Preamble says:
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
- What does “We the People” mean?
“We the People” means that the Constitution is created by the people and for the people. It is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
- What does “form a more perfect Union” mean?
“Form a more perfect Union” means to create a better government than the one that existed before the Constitution was written. The Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States, was not a very strong government. The Preamble says that the Constitution will create a stronger government that can better protect the rights of the people.
- What does “establish Justice” mean?
“Establish Justice” means to create a system of laws that is fair and just. The Constitution establishes a system of courts that can enforce the laws and protect the rights of the people.
- What does “insure domestic Tranquility” mean?
“Insure domestic Tranquility” means to keep the peace within the United States. The Constitution establishes a government that has the power to protect the country from foreign enemies and to keep order within the country.
- What does “provide for the common defence” mean?
“Provide for the common defence” means to protect the United States from foreign enemies. The Constitution establishes a government that has the power to raise an army and navy, to declare war, and to make treaties.
- What does “promote the general Welfare” mean?
“Promote the general Welfare” means to improve the lives of the people. The Constitution establishes a government that has the power to provide for the common defense, to promote the general welfare, and to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.
- What does “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” mean?
“Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” means to protect the rights of the people and to ensure that future generations will also enjoy these rights. The Constitution establishes a government that is limited in its powers and that cannot take away the rights of the people.
What are some of the key phrases in the Preamble?
Some of the key phrases in the Preamble are:
- “We the People”
- “form a more perfect Union”
- “establish Justice”
- “insure domestic Tranquility”
- “provide for the common defence”
- “promote the general Welfare”
- “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”
These phrases are important because they explain the purpose of the Constitution and the goals that the government is supposed to achieve.
What are some of the ways that the Preamble has been used to interpret the Constitution?
The Preamble has been used to interpret the Constitution in a number of ways. For example, The Supreme Court has used the Preamble to argue that the government has the power to regulate interstate commerce. The Court has also used the Preamble to argue that the government has the power to provide for the general welfare.
What are some of the criticisms of the Preamble?
Some people have criticized the Preamble because it is vague. They argue that the Preamble does not provide enough guidance for the government and that it is too open to interpretation.
What are some of the defenses of the Preamble?
Others have defended the Preamble because it is a statement of the basic principles of the United States government. They argue that the Preamble is important because it provides a framework for interpreting the Constitution.
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is the introductory statement of the Constitution. It is not part of the Constitution itself, but it is an important part of the document. The Preamble states the purpose of the Constitution and the goals of the government. It is a brief statement, but it is very important.
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is as follows:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is important because it states the purpose of the Constitution and the goals of the government. The Preamble is a brief statement, but it is very important. It is a reminder of the purpose of the government and the goals that the government should strive to achieve.
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is also important because it is a statement of the principles of the American government. The Preamble states that the government is based on the Consent of the governed, that it is limited in its powers, and that it is designed to protect the rights of the people.
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is a very important part of the document. It is a reminder of the purpose of the government and the goals that the government should strive to achieve. It is also a statement of the principles of the American government.
Here are some MCQs about the Preamble to the United States Constitution:
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The Preamble to the United States Constitution is:
(A) Part of the Constitution
(B) Not part of the Constitution
(C) A statement of the purpose of the Constitution
(D) A statement of the goals of the government -
The Preamble to the United States Constitution states that the government is based on the consent of the governed. This means that:
(A) The government is elected by the people
(B) The government is limited in its powers
(C) The government is designed to protect the rights of the people -
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is important because it:
(A) States the purpose of the Constitution
(B) States the goals of the government
(C) Is a statement of the principles of the American government
(D) All of the above -
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is a brief statement, but it is very important. This is because:
(A) It is a reminder of the purpose of the government
(B) It is a statement of the principles of the American government
(C) Both (A) and (B) -
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is a statement of the principles of the American government. These principles include:
(A) The government is based on the consent of the governed
(B) The government is limited in its powers
(C) The government is designed to protect the rights of the people
(D) All of the above