26-10-2024 Mains Question Answer
Q. What are the basic values enshrined in the Preamble of our Constitution? How relevant are these values in the present time?
Ans. The Preamble declares that the people of India are the ultimate source of authority for the Constitution. This emphasizes the democratic principle of popular sovereignty, meaning the government is created by and derives its powers from the people. It sets forth the core values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, which form the foundation of the Indian Constitution.
| Preamble Value | Meaning | Relevance in Present Times |
| Sovereignty | India is an independent nation with supreme power. | India continues to assert its independence in international relations and protects its national interests. |
| Socialism | The state aims to reduce inequalities and ensure a decent standard of living. | The government implements welfare programs and policies to address poverty and inequality, but challenges remain in achieving equitable distribution. |
| Secularism | The state respects all religions equally and does not have a state religion. | Secularism is crucial for maintaining social harmony in a diverse society, but upholding it requires constant vigilance against religious intolerance and discrimination. |
| Democracy | The supreme power rests with the people. | India’s vibrant democracy allows citizens to participate in decision-making and hold the government accountable, but challenges like voter apathy and political polarization need to be addressed. |
| Republic | The head of state is an elected official. | The republican nature of India ensures that power remains with the people, but upholding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring good governance remain ongoing challenges. |
| Justice | The state ensures social, economic, and political justice for all. | Justice remains a cornerstone of Indian society, but achieving it requires addressing systemic inequalities and ensuring access to justice for all, especially marginalized groups. |
| Liberty | Citizens have freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship. | Fundamental to a democratic society, these freedoms are constantly upheld and reinterpreted, but challenges like censorship, hate speech, and restrictions on freedom of expression need to be addressed. |
| Equality | The state ensures equality of status and opportunity. | Equality remains a constitutional ideal, but achieving it requires addressing various forms of discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, and other factors. |
| Fraternity | The Preamble promotes brotherhood and national unity. | The spirit of brotherhood is essential for national unity, but it faces challenges from communalism, regionalism, and other divisive forces. |
Conclusion
The Preamble acts as an interpretative tool for the judiciary. In cases of ambiguity in the Constitution, courts often refer to the Preamble to understand the intent and spirit behind the provisions. It inspires and provides a framework for interpreting laws and policies. It encapsulates the aspirations and goals of the Indian people at the time of independence, setting the vision for the future of India as an inclusive, equitable, and just society.