CONSTITUTION OF INDIA:The preamble of our constitution says that we are a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic.But a section of people argue that since the word "socialist and secular"were not there in the original constitution therefore they can be ignored.This is a dangerous propoganda based on half truths.It is true that these words were not in the preamble when the constitution come into effect on 26th January 1950.It was incorporated by the 42nd amendment Act in 1976.But the socialist secular character was embedded in our constitution and even in it's Preamble since it's birth.
Secularism has been embodied in Article15,Article 25 to Article 30and Article 51A(e) in our constitution.While Article 25 has given every citizen equal entitlement to freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propogation of religious; Article 25 (2)has brought religious under the control of the state and not vice versa as for example the state the power to throw open Hindu religious institution of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus.
On the other hand,the socialist character has found it's room in Article14,Article 16 to 18 and Article38 to 47 of the Constitution from the very beginning.The constitution directs the State to secure that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as to best serve the common good (Article 39(b))and the operation of the economic system does not result concentration of the wealth and means of production to the common detriment (Article 39c).
As a matter of fact ,our constitution is socialist and secular in every inch from it's Fundamental Rights to Fundamental Duties to Directive Principles of State Policy.Even the preamble itself was secular and socialist in character at the time of it's birth.On 26 January 1950,the preamble resolved to secure to all it's citizens Liberty of thought, expression,belief,faith and worship and equality of status and of opportunity.
Dilip Pandit
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