Simone Lawson
The preamble to the Constitution of India is an introductory statement that explains the purpose, principles, and philosophy of the Constitution. It was drafted by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India, and was inspired by the preamble of the United States of America. The draft, known as the 'Objective Resolutions', was introduced to the Constituent Assembly by Nehru on December 13, 1946, and was adopted on January 22, 1947. The preamble, along with the rest of the Constitution, came into effect on January 26, 1950.
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What You'll Learn
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar chaired the drafting committee
The preamble of the Indian Constitution is referred to as the identity card of the Indian Constitution. It serves as an introductory statement that outlines the fundamental principles and objectives of the constitution. The drafting committee of the preamble was chaired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, a prominent leader and jurist.
Dr B.R. Ambedkar emphasised the importance of the preamble in capturing the essence of the Constitution. He described the preamble as an "identity card" that encapsulates the core values and aspirations of the nation. The preamble outlines India's commitment to democracy, justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. It reflects the ideals and aspirations of the people of India, setting the tone for the entire constitution.
The Constituent Assembly, comprising 299 members, played a crucial role in the process of drafting the preamble. The Assembly served as the country's first legislature after India gained independence. The Assembly debated various aspects of the preamble, including the country's name and whether to include the names of God and Gandhi. The final preamble, declaring India a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, was drafted and finalised by the committee chaired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
The preamble is considered the cornerstone of the Constitution, providing a guiding philosophy for interpreting and implementing its provisions. It reflects the inclusive vision of the framers of the Constitution, ensuring that all Indian citizens are guaranteed justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. The preamble, along with the rest of the original Constitution, was designed and decorated by renowned painter Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, with calligraphy by Prem Behari Narain Raizada.
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Constituent Assembly's role
The Constituent Assembly of India, formed in November 1946, played a crucial role in drafting the Indian Constitution. It was a partly elected and partly nominated body, conceived and created by V. K. Krishna Menon, that framed the Constitution of India. The Assembly was led by prominent figures like Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The Assembly engaged in comprehensive debates on federalism, fundamental rights, and governance, shaping the document's core principles. It was tasked with ensuring that the Constitution reflected the nation's diverse cultural, social, and political fabric. The Constituent Assembly was not elected based on complete universal adult suffrage, and it included special representation for Muslims and Sikhs as minorities. A large part of the Assembly was drawn from the Indian National Congress Party, and it encompassed a wide range of ideologies and opinions, from conservatives and progressives to Marxists, liberals, and Hindu revivalists.
The drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, played a pivotal role in finalizing the preamble of the Indian Constitution. Dr. Ambedkar described the preamble as the "'identity card" of the Constitution, capturing its fundamental goals and the aspirations of the Indian people. The preamble, as a result of the Assembly's deliberations, declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, emphasizing values such as justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
The Constituent Assembly's role extended beyond just drafting the Constitution. After its final session on January 24, 1950, it served as the Provisional Parliament of India until the first general elections in 1951-52 established the new Parliament. The Assembly's work laid the groundwork for the country's governance and development, introducing a parliamentary democracy that continues to shape India's political landscape.
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The preamble's significance
The preamble to the Constitution of India is a brief introductory statement that sets out the guiding purpose, principles, and philosophy of the constitution. It was drafted and finalized by a committee of the Constituent Assembly, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a prominent leader and jurist. The preamble declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, emphasizing justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity as the core values of the nation. This section will discuss the significance of the preamble in detail.
Firstly, the preamble is significant because it outlines the fundamental values and principles that the Constitution aims to uphold. It reflects the aspirations and ideals of the people of India, serving as a guiding light for interpreting and implementing the Constitution's provisions. The preamble establishes India's commitment to democracy, justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, providing a snapshot of the Constitution's fundamental goals.
Secondly, the preamble plays a crucial role in setting the tone for the entire constitution. By declaring India a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, the preamble emphasizes the independent authority and self-governance of the nation. It signifies that the constitution is made by and for the Indian people, emphasizing their collective vision and goals. The preamble's description of India as a union of states also highlights the relationship between the states and the central government, defining their respective powers and responsibilities.
Thirdly, the preamble has legal significance as it is considered an integral part of the Constitution. Initially, the Supreme Court of India stated in the Berubari case that the preamble was not enforceable in a court of law. However, in the 1973 Kesavananda case, the same court overruled its earlier decision and recognized the preamble as part of the "Basic Structure" of the constitution. This ruling allowed the preamble to be used to interpret ambiguous areas of the constitution, influencing the interpretation and implementation of constitutional provisions.
Lastly, the preamble holds symbolic value as it encapsulates the identity and essence of the Indian Constitution. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chairman of the drafting committee, referred to the preamble as the "'identity card'" of the constitution. This description underscores the preamble's role in representing the core values and aspirations of the nation. The preamble's artistic design and calligraphy, created by renowned artists, further contribute to its symbolic significance, making it a visually striking and iconic element of the constitution.
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The preamble's design and decoration
The preamble of the Indian Constitution is often referred to as the "identity card" of the Indian Constitution, as it encapsulates the core values and aspirations of the nation. It outlines India's commitment to democracy, justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. The preamble was drafted and finalised by a committee of the Constituent Assembly, chaired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, a prominent leader and jurist.
The preamble page, along with the other pages of the original Constitution of India, was designed and decorated by renowned painter Beohar Rammanohar Sinha of Jabalpur. The page features intricate patterns and Sinha's signature, "Ram", in Devanagari in the lower-right corner. The calligraphy was done by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, a graduate of St Stephen's, Delhi, who completed the task in over six months, writing on parchment sheets in both Hindi and English. He used No. 303 nibs for the English calligraphy and a Hindu nib, imported from Birmingham, for the Hindi calligraphy.
The illustrations in the Indian Constitution showcase the diverse geography of India, from camels marching in the desert to the mighty Himalayas and the ocean waves. They also chart the history of India, from Mohenjo Daro to the national freedom struggle. The artists drew inspiration from various sources, such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Ajanta cave paintings. The section on fundamental rights, for example, features a scene from the Ramayana, with a sketch of Ram, Lakshman, and Sita returning home after the battle in Lanka.
The preamble, along with the rest of the Constitution, is a work of art that reflects the essence and spirit of the nation. It serves as a visual and textual representation of India's values, principles, and aspirations.
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The preamble's enforceability
The preamble to the Indian Constitution was drafted and finalised by a committee of the Constituent Assembly, chaired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, a prominent leader and jurist. The preamble outlines India's commitment to democracy, justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, and reflects the aspirations and ideals of the people of India. It is considered the 'identity card' of the Indian Constitution.
The preamble's non-justifiability means that courts cannot issue orders against the government of India to implement the ideas outlined in the preamble. However, courts can refer to the preamble to explain and clarify other provisions of the Constitution. The preamble serves as a guiding philosophy for interpreting and implementing the Constitution's provisions, reflecting the inclusive vision of its framers.
The preamble to the Indian Constitution has been amended only once, by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976, which added the terms ''Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity' to ensure economic justice and eliminate inequality in income and standard of living. Secularism, in this context, implies equality of all religions, religious tolerance, and the absence of a state religion. The term 'integrity' reinforces the preamble's objective of ensuring the fraternity and unity of the state.
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Frequently asked questions
Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.
No, Mahatma Gandhi was not directly involved in drafting the preamble or the constitution.
The preamble was drafted on the 'Objective Resolutions' or the 'Resolution on the Aims and Objects of the Constitution'.
The draft was introduced to the Constituent Assembly by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946 and was adopted on 22 January 1947.
The preamble is an introductory statement that explains the Constitution's guiding purpose, principles, and philosophy. It also indicates the source from which the Constitution derives its authority.
