What are the major commitments of the Constitution of India as incorporated in its preamble?

Question: What are the major commitments of the Constitution of India as incorporated in its preamble? [MPJS 2014]

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Answer

The Preamble is the heart of the Constitution of India. The Preamble of the Constitution of India sets out the guidelines which guide the people of the State, to present the principles of the Constitution, and to indicate the source from which the document derives its authority. The Preamble starts with ‘We the people of India’. This means this document has been drafted by and for the people of this nation. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic, which corresponds to the provisions of the constitution.

1. Sovereign

The Preamble speaks about India being a Sovereign state. It simply means that it’s an independent authority and is not subject to the control of any other State or external power. In Part V of the Constitution of India, Articles regarding these three organs have been constituted. The duties, members, and conditions of the three organs namely Executive, Legislature or the Parliament and Judiciary have been described in Articles ranging from Article 52 to Article 151.

2. Socialist

Furthermore, the term Socialist was added to the 42nd amendment in the year 1976. It means that if wealth is generated socially, it should be distributed or shared among the society through distributive justice. It also means that wealth should not be concentrated in the hands of few people and that the government should regulate the ownership of land and industry to reduce social-economic inequalities.

Part III of the Constitution upholds the dignity of the individual of the country. The right to equality has been given in Part III of the Constitution under the title of Fundamental Rights. Article 14 states that all citizens are equal before the law. Article 15 infers about the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. Article 16 provides for equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. Articles 17 and 18 conclude about the abolition of untouchability and of titles. In this way, the Constitution upholds the commitment made in the Preamble under the title of equality.

3. Secular

India is proudly a Secular state which infers that there is no difference in religion and that all should be equally respected. The term Secular was added in the 42nd amendment in the year 1976 which means that there is no State religion. Fundamental Rights in Part III of the Constitution include the right to practice or profess any religion under Article 25.

4. Democratic and Republic

India is a Democratic state that infers the citizens of the country to elect their government via the system of universal adult franchise, i.e. one person, one vote. Also, we have a Republican form of government which means the head of state is elected and is not a hereditary monarch. In simple terms, it means we have a government where no one holds public power as a proprietary right.

From the wider perspective of Article 21, it provides for the right to vote which represents the democracy India follows. The right to vote portrays a universal adult franchise. This is the way the Constitution upholds the commitment of India being Democratic as stated in the Preamble. It also means that we are a Republican form of Government where the votes of citizens elect the head of the state.

The Preamble narrates about social, economic, and political justice.

• Social justice includes that no citizen shall be discriminated against on the grounds of caste, creed, colour, religion, gender, or place of birth.
• Economic justice infers equitable distribution of wealth and economic equality and the end of monopolistic control over the means of production and distribution. It also means decentralization of economic resources. Economic justice includes no discrimination between men and women on the basis of income, wealth, and economic status.
• The Preamble also speaks of Liberty which means there are no unreasonable restrictions on Indian citizens in terms of what they think on the manner of expression and the way to follow up their thoughts in action. However, the Liberty offered shall be exercised within Constitutional limits.
• Fraternity is another major point that the Preamble speaks of. It refers to the feeling of brotherhood and a sense of belonging among the citizens. It leaves no room for communalism casteism and regionalism which hinders the unity of the state. It embraces the dignity of individuals of the country.

Article 32 provides for remedies for enforcement of rights conferred in Part III of the Constitution. Infringement of any kind of fundamental rights paves the way towards the doors of justice via the courts established in our country. The courts ensure social, economic, and political justice to all as stated in the Preamble.

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