The Supreme Court of India has rejected three petitions requesting the removal of the words 'secular' and 'socialist' from the Indian Constitution's Preamble. The Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, stated that the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution extends to the Preamble as well. The court also clarified that the terms 'secular' and 'socialist' are integral to the Constitution and do not restrict the government's economic policies or private initiatives.
Preamble of the Indian Constitution: A Constitutional Mandate
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution is a concise statement of the fundamental principles and objectives of the Indian Republic. It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, and came into effect on 26 January 1950.
The Preamble originally consisted of 89 words, which have since been amended twice. The first amendment was made in 1951 to correct a grammatical error. The second amendment was made in 1976 by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, which added the words "secular" and "socialist" to the Preamble.
Supreme Court's Ruling
In 2023, the Supreme Court of India rejected three petitions requesting the removal of the words "secular" and "socialist" from the Preamble. The Court held that the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution extends to the Preamble as well. The Court also clarified that the terms "secular" and "socialist" are integral to the Constitution and do not restrict the government's economic policies or private initiatives.
Background
The Preamble has been the subject of several controversies over the years. Some critics have argued that the Preamble is not a part of the Constitution and therefore should not be given any legal force. Others have argued that the Preamble contains idealistic and unrealistic goals that cannot be achieved in practice.
Despite these criticisms, the Preamble remains a fundamental part of the Indian Constitution. It represents the ideals that the Indian people aspire to, and it serves as a reminder of the principles that guide the nation.
Top 5 FAQs
What is the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
What are the key words in the Preamble?
What is the significance of the Preamble?
Has the Preamble been amended?
What was the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Preamble?
A protest was held in Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district against the planned shutdown of a charitable hospital managed by Radha Soami Satsang Beas in Bhota. The hospital, which has been operating since 2000 and serves over 100,000 people, is facing closure due to unresolved land transfer issues. Despite claims by the hospital administrator that the closure notice was issued by the sect's management, the state government has yet to guarantee the hospital will continue to operate. This move has caused concern among residents who rely on the free healthcare services provided by the hospital.
"Madhya Pradesh CM Invites Investors to State's Global Investors Summit, Highlights Development Progress Made Under PM Modi's Leadership" Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav attended an event in London, where he invited investors to the state's upcoming Global Investors Summit. In his address, CM Yadav highlighted the development work undertaken in the state, crediting the leadership of PM Modi. He also spoke about the various sectors in Madhya Pradesh, such as infrastructure and healthcare, that have seen significant progress under the government. With subsidies and incentives in place, CM Yadav emphasized that the state is ready to welcome investors and create a positive impact for both Madhya Pradesh and the country.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has rejected food consignments from various countries, citing concerns over food safety and quality. This decision highlights India's growing vigilance in regulating food imports and safeguarding public health. Stakeholders are urged to ensure compliance with safety norms to avoid similar rejections in the future. With increasing scrutiny on imported goods, the rejection of these consignments reflects the FSSAI's commitment to enforcing strict regulations and protecting consumer interests in the face of global supply chain challenges.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a well-known Hindu leader in Bangladesh, has been arrested by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on charges of sedition. His arrest has sparked protests and drawn international attention to the ongoing religious tensions and discrimination against minorities in the country. Despite efforts by his legal team, he has been denied bail and transferred to jail. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has also expressed deep concern over the incident and the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh.
On Constitution Day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Modi, accusing him and the RSS of working against the principles of the Indian Constitution. He stressed the importance of understanding and upholding its values, and reiterated Congress' commitment to conducting caste-based censuses in states where they are in power. Gandhi also highlighted the need for representation of marginalized communities in fields like education and media to dismantle systemic discrimination.
The results of the by-elections for nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh held on November 20 this week have been declared, with the NDA-BJP alliance securing a majority of seats. The ruling party’s dominance in the state has been reaffirmed with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attributing the victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and their commitment to security, good governance, and public welfare. The Samajwadi Party’s win in the Sisamau seat has been the only exception to the BJP-RLD alliance’s success.
The state government of Punjab has issued a show cause notice to the Lovely Professional University (LPU) for violating government orders to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The notice, issued on Thursday, asks LPU to explain within seven days why their no objection certificate should not be revoked for endangering the lives of 3,200 people. Despite orders from the higher education minister to suspend teaching activities, LPU continued to function, ignoring social distancing norms and keeping the district administration in the dark.
After the Mahayuti alliance's landslide victory in Maharashtra Assembly elections, current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has submitted his resignation to the Governor. As the term of the current government ends today, Shinde will serve as caretaker CM until a new leader is sworn in. All eyes are on who will secure the CM post, with BJP MLAs supporting Fadnavis. Meanwhile, rituals and pujas are being conducted in over 100 temples for Shinde's continuation as CM in the Mahayuti 2.0 government yet to be formed.
Following the landslide victory of the Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde has resigned as Chief Minister and been appointed as caretaker by the Governor. However, the suspense over who will be the next chief minister continues as the Aghadi alliance's dream to wrest power has been shattered. Despite their thumping victory, the Mahayuti coalition has been delayed in forming the government due to the Shiv Sena's insistence on Shinde continuing as chief minister.
Six people, including security personnel, have been killed and over 100 injured as protests turned violent in Islamabad. The government has deployed the army and ordered them to shoot on sight. The protests, demanding the release of ex-PM Imran Khan, come amidst political tension in the country. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi also invoked the Constitution in a recent speech, suggesting that the issue may play a role in the 2024 elections.