QUES . The 42nd Amendment to the Constitution of India added the words ‘Secular’ and ‘Socialist’ to the Preamble of the Constitution in 1976. What prompted this Amendment? What relevance do they have today? Discuss. UPSC IES/ISS EXAM 2015 General Studies. 200 Words. 5 Marks

HINTS:

The words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ were incorporated in the Preamble of the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. The change was enacted during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the period of Emergency (1975-1977).

Before the amendment, the first line of the Preamble read, “WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC…”.

After the amendment, it changed to, “WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC…”

Must read: “The Preamble is the key to the whole constitution”

Why the word ‘secular’ was inserted in the Preamble of the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976?

The inclusion of “secular” in the Preamble aimed to promote unity among India’s diverse religious communities. It meant that the state treats all religions equally, remains neutral, and doesn’t favour any one religion as the state religion. The Indian state is concerned with human relationships, not the relationship between individuals and God, which is a matter of personal choice.

Even before the 42nd Amendment, secularism was a fundamental part of the Constitution’s philosophy. Articles 25, 26, and 27 were specifically designed to promote secularism.

The 42nd Amendment simply made the term “secular” explicit in the Constitution, but the underlying principle was already implicit in various provisions and the overall philosophy of the Constitution.

Must read: Constitutional Provisions relating to secularism

Why the word ‘socialist’ was inserted in the Preamble of the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976?

The word ‘Socialist’ was inserted in the Preamble of the Constitution to highlight the Indian state’s aspirations to reduce socio-economic inequalities. The term ‘socialist’ was meant to indicate democratic socialism, i.e., the achievement of socialistic goals through democratic, evolutionary and non-violent means.

Why the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ were not included during the making of the Constitution?

The demand to add these words in the Preamble was raised during the debates in the Constituent Assembly by several members, including KT Shah and Brajeshwar Prasad. However, it was not done as other members, including BR Ambedkar, objected to it.

The debates saw Dr. B.R. Ambedkar reason that there was no need to include the term ‘secular’ as the entire Constitution embodied the concept of secular state, which meant non-discrimination on grounds of religion and equal rights and status to all citizens.

On the inclusion of the term ‘socialist,’ he said it is against the very grain of democracy to decide in the Constitution what kind of society the people of India should live in.

It’s important to note that the Indian version of socialism was different from that of countries like the USSR or China. It didn’t involve the nationalisation of all industries, but focused on selective nationalisation where necessary. It was a unique form of socialism tailored to India’s needs.

Why the issue of inclusion of words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble is simmering since decades?

The move to add ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ faced criticism from several quarters as many believed it was an attempt by the Congress to influence India’s political identity.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), at its inception, opposed the addition of these words, asserting that they were unnecessary as the concepts they represented were already inherent in the Constitution.

On the other hand, the Congress and Left-leaning parties defended the addition, stating it reinforced India’s commitment to secularism and socialism.

This controversy continues to be a topic of debate among politicians and scholars. It is important to note that despite the controversy, the Supreme Court has upheld the validity of the amendment.

External link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preamble_to_the_Constitution_of_India