- Indian Constitution has been framed by the congress Assembly by working committee on June 24, 1946.
- In the meeting of the Constituent Assembly, Congress adopted a resolution in the eve of November 1946, declaring that: “it stands for an independent sovereign republic wherein all powers and authority are derived from the people and for a Constitution wherein social objectives are laid down to promote freedom, progress & equal opportunity for all the people of India…..”
- In the early draft of the Union Constitution, Preamble was a somewhat formal affair, which was provided by B.N. Basu’s memorandum on the Union Constitution on 30th May 1947. And it was:
“We the people of India, seeking to promote the common good, do hereby, through our chosen representatives, enact, adopt and give to ourselves this Constitution”.
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- The Preamble was finally adopted on Twenty-sixth day of November 1949. Now, the present form of Preamble is as under:
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.
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Terms of Preamble
Sovereign – It means supreme or independent. The country is both, internally as well as externally sovereign. Externally it is free from any foreign power and internally it exercises a free government directly elected by the people and makes laws that govern the people.
Socialist – The word was added by the 42nd amendment act of 1976. It implies to social and economic equality. Social equality means there is no discrimination on the grounds of caste, colour, creed, sex, religion, language, etc. Each one enjoys equal status and opportunities.
Secular – The word was inserted by the 42nd amendment act of 1976. Secular implies equality of all religions and religious tolerance. No state in India has an official state religion. Anybody can preach, practice and propagate any religion of his or her choice. In the eyes of the law, all citizens are equal irrespective of their religious beliefs.
Democratic – This means that the government of all levels are elected by the people through a system of universal adult franchise. Every citizen irrespective of caste, creed, colour, sex, religion or education who is 18 years of age and above is entitled to vote, if not debarred by law.
Republic – The term means that the head of the state is elected, directly or indirectly, for a fixed tenure. The President of India is elected by Electoral College for a fixed period of five years.
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