History & Civics [4 Mark Question Answer]

The above question in the context of the Preamble to the constitution declaring India to be the Secular-Democratic Republic is answered as under.
Yes, we very much agree with the view that the Indian Constitution promises not only political democracy but economic democracy as well. In the Preamble, a just economic system is promised under Economic Justice. A sound democracy lies in a sound economy in a democratic nation. For the purpose, “fair distribution of wealth” and “a decent Standard of life to the people” has been secured in the Indian Constitution

The above question in the context of the Preamble to the constitution declaring India to be the Secular-Democratic Republic is answered as under.
The manner in which the word ‘Secular’ is introduced into the Preamble of the Constitution of India, refers to the religious aspect. Ours is the country that is dominated by the maximum number of religions. Every religion follows different traditions and rituals. In this light, the makers of the Constitution had to look into every religion with the same point of view, hence it was decided to treat all religions equally, so as to avoid any sort of dispute that might erupt in the name of religion. The impartial attitude adopted towards religion on legal grounds stepped into the need to mention a word like-‘Secular’ in the Constitution. That means. Anyone is free to adopt any religion.

Following the principle of “Unity in Diversification”, the Constituent Assembly of India came into existence. It was skillfully interwoven, taking the members from almost all major regions and all major sections and communities of India. The joint efforts of their made the country venture into the sea of progress and prosperity in the near future. All the members had been committed to national integration. They were liable to work in the interests of the general public even when their aspirations tended to lean to their respective regions and communities. As evidence from this perspective, we find it included Dr. Ambedkar hailed from Maharashtra Rajendra Prasad and Satyanarayan Sinha belonged to Bihar, Mohammed Saddulla belonged to Assam, Hukam Singh and Ujjal Singh from East Punjab and so on. Also, it included the women members like Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur. Thus, in a way, the scenario set forth by the Constituent Assembly is no less than A Microcosm of India (Mini- India).

The significance of the Preamble are as below:

1. The Preamble represents the essence, the philosophy, the ideals of the entire Constitution of India. The other parts and provisions of the Constitution are only an elaboration and an attempt to give concrete shape to the words of the Preamble. Over the years so many amendments have been made to the Constitution but its basic features could not be altered.
2. Disputes, ambiguities are to be resolved in a writing Constitution. In order to interpret the articles, it is necessary to refer often to the Preamble which should form the basis for interpretation,
3. The Preamble contains the five basic features of the Constitution. That is, India is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic. Besides, it reminds people of the Four Ideals of the State. That is, India should secure to all its citizen's Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.

To end the political deadlock, the Cabinet Mission brought forth the proposals of its members that contained details of the Constituent Assembly elections that were to be held in July 1946. The Provincial Assemblies elected the members of the Constituent Assembly, under the scheme of Indirect Election proposed by the Cabinet Mission. The representatives included as per the nomination were from the Princely States, whom the rulers of these states had nominated. The Constituent Assembly had been equipped with 385 members in all. 292 seats went to the Provinces, whereas the Princely States were allocated 93 seats. However, the number of seats reduced to 308 after the partition of India. The eminent personality, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was appointed the President. Many other distinguished political leaders too joined hands in its composition. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee i.e., the Drafting Committee.
In other words, the Constituent Assembly presented the panorama of a Mini-India that included persons from different communities in society. It also included the women members. Presumably, Congress had the lion-share in the Constituent Assembly. It also propounded the supporters of forwarding Bloc and members of the Hindu Maha Sabha and the Muslim League. In nutshell, the contribution of them led to the framing of the Constitution of Independent India.

The Preamble to the Constitution is significant in many ways.

1. The Preamble declares that the source of the Constitution is the People of India.
2. It indicates the secular, socialist, and democratic basis of the constitution.
3. It states the basic objects or ideals of the Indian Republic. It leads the law and makes it go in the right direction while providing ‘Social Justice’, and protecting the interests of the weaker sections of the society.
4. It includes basic features of the constitution viz., Supremacy of the Constitution, India has the Republican and Democratic form of government, the Constitution is that of a secular character. Segregation of Powers between the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, the Constitution is also of Federal character under certain circumstances.

The given term in the context of the Preamble to the Constitution is answered as under:

Fraternity: It is the spirit of brotherhood that is indispensable to bind the nation in a single string to provide strength and stability to the nation. Since our society is divided by many classes, castes, religions, and languages, therefore, it is very essential to bring about harmony among them, lest any kind of friction differentiation of ideologies should bring forth any kind confrontation. Fraternity marks the dignity of the individual and the Unity and Integrity of the Nation.

The Preamble guarantees justice on different levels. Here, Justice is put in a comprehensive manner. Thus, Justice is closely associated with the following aspects that prevail in a democratic Republic State like that of India. In the context of Social Justice, one thing is made very clear in the Constitution i.e., all the individuals living in the society shall not be discriminated against on the grounds of religion, race, caste, or sex. They are supposed to enjoy the civil amenities in a subservient way. There is no room for Untouchability in our Constitution. The State may make provision for the advancement and upliftment of socially and educationally backward classes of citizens.
For Economic Justice, the Directive Principles promise to bring about a just economic system in the Preamble. Economic Justice means, all the citizens living in the society are liable to be financially sound so as to meet and enjoy their daily needs comfortably. As Justice Krishna Iyyer has rightly said in the context of Economic Justice, he says, “Economic Justice means, whipping out the tear from every eye”.
Justice is confined to various dimensions when it is talked in Political context. Political Justice is related to the right to vote, free and fair elections, and equal access to public offices. The Constitution of India guarantees a minimum number of seats to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. People belonging to various communities, sects or groups are eligible to form their separate union or association to raise their voice against injustice or in favour of their reasonable demands before the government.

The Preamble to the Constitution is significant in many ways.

1. The Preamble declares that the source of the Constitution is the People of India.
2. It indicates the secular, socialist, and democratic basis of the constitution.
3. It states the basic objects or ideals of the Indian Republic. It leads the law and makes it go in the right direction while providing ‘Social Justice’, and protecting the interests of the weaker sections of the society.
4. It includes basic features of the constitution viz., Supremacy of the Constitution, India has the Republican and Democratic form of government, the Constitution is that of a secular character. Segregation of Powers between the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, the Constitution is also of Federal character under certain circumstances.

The two main objects (or ideals) of the Indian Republic as set forth in the Preamble to the Constitution, are as under:

1. Justice-Social, Economic, and Political: It is the fundamental right of every citizen in society to seek justice whether it is associated with society, economy, or politics. Justice ensures of protection of rights and interests of an individual and the society respectively. The constitution makes it possible to achieve such an object by securing to all citizens certain fundamental rights. It also lays down certain Directive Principles guiding the State to work efficiently. Social Justice in the sense, providing equal opportunities for education work and labour irrespective of religion, race, caste, or sex. It also discourages social abuses like—Untouchability and, religious fanaticism. It is liable to uplift the backward and downtrodden in society. The Directive Principles aim at making the sound economic position of all the citizens by allocating Economic Justice to all of them by means of equal distribution of wealth system. All citizens have the right to participate in political activities. They have the right to cast their vote, they have the right to contest the election as per the norms and conditions of the election commission. Thus, Political Justice is meant for all.
2. Liberty of Thought, Expression, Belief, Faith, and Worship: There is a provision in the Constitution as the Preamble refers to i.e., every individual has the right to write, speak or express his thoughts, beliefs while keeping himself within the restrictions imposed on this right. Likewise, every person is free to follow any religion. He is free to have faith or belief in any God or Goddess. He can go to any Pilgrimage to worship in the country.