What is significance of the phrase "We the people of India" in the Preamble?
Last Updated : 01 Nov, 2023
A preamble refers to the index page of the constitution. The Preamble is an important essence of India’s constitution. It is crucial because it contains the main ideals and principles of the Constitution. The preamble stands as the introduction of the Constitution. It ensures justice, liberty, and equality for all Indian citizens and encourages people-to-people solidarity.
According to 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.”
Significance of " WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA" in Constitution
The phrase "We the people of India" in the Indian Constitution's preamble denotes that the people of India are the ultimate leaders. People's power is exercised at the ballot box. The constitution is handed over by the people of India themselves, and not from a king or any outside power. “We the people of India” denotes that the people of India are the main rulers of the country and the main power. The selected representatives through the elections will govern the nation on behalf of the citizens of India and will be responsible for them. It also talks about the four main principles, Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. which are considered the main objectives of the preamble and the constitution of India.
Justice
The term Justice in the Preamble stands for:: Social, economic, and political security. Which is secured through various provisions of the Directive and Fundamental Principles in the constitution of India.
The term social justice means that the constitution is responsible for creating a secure and equitable society without any discrimination based on social status. Economic justice refers to the equal distribution of wealth among the individual members of society and is not concentrated in the hands of a few people. Political Justice stands for the right to equality in the political field. It ensures that all the members of the society are equal and have the right to equal political participation.
Liberty
The term “Liberty” signifies the absence of limitations or dominance on an individual's activities, for instance, each individual has freedom from slavery, serfdom, imprisonment, dictatorship, and so on. The Preamble ensures the freedom of opinion, expression, belief, faith, and worship.
Equality
Equality refers to the absence of privileges or discrimination against any class or group of society. The Preamble ensures the equality of status and opportunity for all the citizens of the country. The Constitution prioritizes providing social, economic, and political equality in the country.
Fraternity
The concept of fraternity simply means the feeling of brotherhood. Assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the country, the Preamble seeks to strengthen cohesiveness among the people.
It states:
“IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this 26th day of November 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION. “
Four Components of the Preamble:
- It claims that the people of India are the main source of authority. It promotes Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity as the main objectives.
- It indicates that the constitution attaches great importance to the people of India and popular sovereignty.
- It states that the constitution is in the form of democracy. It is a constitution by the people, for the people, and of the people.
- It declares November 26, 1949, as the date, when the constitution was adopted.
Apart from this, there are some other keywords mentioned in the preamble as the important components of the constitution, such as sovereign, Secular, Socialist, Democratic, and Republic.
Sovereign
The sovereign indicates that according to the constitution, India is a sovereign state. This means it has its own independent authority and is not dominated by any other external force. the Indian Legislature has the authority to enact legislation in the country, subject to certain constraints laid down in The constitution.
Socialist
Through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, the word "Socialist" is added to the Preamble. Basically, Socialism indicates the pursuit of socialist goals through democratic methods. India has adopted "Democratic Socialism." which advocates a mixed economy, where the private and governmental sectors coexist. It seeks to eradicate poverty, ignorance, sickness, and inequality in opportunity.
Secular
The word "secular" was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment in 1976. The term secular refers to the fact that the state accords equal respect, protection, and support to all religions in India under the Constitution. Part III of the Constitution, Articles 25 to 28, establish Religious Freedom as a Fundamental Right.
Democratic
The term democratic refers to the form of government where the main source of power is in the hands of the people. The members of the government are selected through the election, who act as the representatives of the nation. The term democracy is used in the Preamble to refer to political, economic, and social democracy. The characteristics of Indian democracy include accountable representative governance, universal adult franchise, one vote one value, an independent judiciary, and so on.
Republic
The term Republic indicates that the head of state is directly or indirectly elected by the people. for instance, The President of India is the head of state. The people of India elect the President indirectly, through their representatives in the Parliament and the State Assemblies. Furthermore, under a republic, the people are the source of authority rather than a ruler.