Punjab State Board PSEB 11th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 17 Preamble to the Indian Constitution Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
PSEB Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 17 Preamble to the Indian Constitution
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Write a critical note on the Preamble to the Indian Constitution.
Or
What are the guiding principles mentioned in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution? Discuss briefly.
Or
India is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic. Explain.
Answer:
It has been considered essential, and advisable also, that every written Constitution should have a preamble. The preamble to a Constitution mirrors the spirit of Constitution. The Indian Constitution also begins with a preamble. Strictly speaking, the preamble does not constitute a part of the Constitution. That does not, however, mitigate its importance. The Preamble serves the purpose of a window through which we peep into the intentions of the makers of the Constitution.
In short, the preamble is a summary of the objectives and the basic philosophy of a Constitution. It helps in the interpretation of the Constitution. Commenting upon its significance former Chief Justice Subba Rao of the Supreme Court said, ‘The objective sought to be achieved by the constitution is declared in sonorous terms in the preamble. It contains, in a nutshell, its ideals and its aspirations. The preamble is not a platitude but the mode of its realisation as worked out in detail in the Constitution.” Thus, the preamble to the Indian Constitution helps us in understanding the basic philosophy of the Indian Constitution.
The preamble serves another purpose. It enables the people to assess and evaluate the preformance of the Government in the light of the objectives laid down in the Preamble. Any Government, which slacks down or becomes indifferent towards the fulfilment of the aspirations incorporated in the preamble runs the risk of being ousted from office. It keeps the Government thus on its toes.
Preamble to the Indian Constitution:
The Constitution of India begins with the preamble. It runs as under:
“We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic and to secure to all its citizens:
- JUSTICE, social, economic and political
- LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship
- EQUALITY of status and of opportunity ; and to promote among them all
- FRATERNITY assuming the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation
In our Constituent Assembly, this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution”: Amendment to the Preamble. The forty-second Amendment put into force with effect from 18th December, 1976, amended the Preamble to include the words “Socialist and Secular.” So, in its amended form the preamble declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic and Republic. The addition of these two new adjectives has transformed the very character and spirit of the Constitution.
For the words “Unity of the Nation” the words “Unity and Integrity of the Nation” are substituted.
Significance:
In the words of M.V. Pylee, “The preamble to the constitution is one of the best of its kind ever drafted. Both in ideas and ideals and in expression it is unrivalled. It embodies the spirit of the constitution, the determination of Indian people to unite themselves in a common adventure of building up a new and independent nation which will ensure the triumph of Justice, equality and fraternity.” The Preamble to the Constitution throws light on three very important matters:
1. The source of authority,
2. the nature of the Indian polity and
3. the objectives of the Constitution.
1. Source of Constitutional Authority:
The Preamble expresses in a very clear language that people are the ultimate source of all authority. It is the people who have adopted and enacted the Constitution; it is the people who have given this Constitution to themselves.” Though the Indian Constitution does not contain any independent Article (The Constitution of Ireland by Art. 6 and the Tenth Amendment of the American Constitution) declaring that all authority flows from the people, yet the Preamble emphasises the ultimate sovereignty of the people.
In other words, the Constitution of India which came into effect on Jan. 26, 1950, has not been imposed upon us. The people of India in their sovereign capacity have adopted the Constitution for themselves. They have framed a Constitution which fulfils the aims and aspirations of the people. “The Constitution is for the people, the people are not for the Constitution.” Some critics, however, challenge the view that the Constitution has been framed by the people themselves.
They argue that the Constituent Assembly which framed this Constitution was not a truly representative body as it was not elected on the basis of universal adult franchise. Nor was it elected directly by the people. Moreover, the draft of Constitution was not referred to the people for their acceptance or rejection. However, we do not agree with the critics. After all the first and subsequent general elections have been held on the basis of direct and universal adult franchise. Had the representatives of the people no faith in the Constitution they would have surely changed it. Thus, the unmistakable implication is that the people are the ultimate source of all authority. The Constitution originates from the people of India and is promulgated in the name of the people of India.
2. Nature of Indian Polity:
In the second place, the Preamble proclaims that the people of India have resolved to constitute India into a‘Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic. These are few features of the Indian Political System.
(i) India is a Sovereign State.
(ii) India is a Socialist State.
(iii) India is a Secular State.
(iv) India is a Democratic State.
(v) India is a Republican State.
(i) India is a Sovereign State:
It means that now, after the promulgation of the Constitution, India is not subject to any foreign rule. India is now a . sovereign State, internally as well as externally. No other country can compel India to follow or not to follow a particular policy. We can now make any law, remaining of course within the limits imposed by our own Constitution.
We can also amend our Constitution in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Constitution. Some people are of the view that sovereignty is not absolute because of India’s membership of the Commonwealth of Nations. This, however, is not correct. India is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations according to her own free will. There is no constitutional binding. Commonwealth of Nations is not a super state.
Pt. Jawahar Lai Nehru said on 10th May, 1949, “It must be remarked that the Commonwealth is not a super-state in any sense of the term. We have agreed to consider the king as the symbolic head of this free association. But the king has no function attached to that status in the Commonwealth. So far as the Constitution of India is concerned, the king has no place and we shall owe no allegiance to him.”
(ii) India is a Socialist State:
By 42nd amendment act word ‘Socialist’ is inserted in the Preamble to the Constitution. Mr. Swaran Singh, the Chairman of the Congress Committee for constitutional changes, said that the proposed decision to inscribe ‘Socialism’ in the Preamble to the Constitution shows the nation’s resolve to work for a new “socio-economic revolution”.
The former Defence Minister said, “Socialism was the target the country had set for itself. Not only the majority party, but several other political organisations also were committed to this concept.” Smt. Indira Gandhi’s Government adopted 20-point programme to implement Socialism. Janata Government was committed to Gandhian Socialism and various steps were taken to implement Gandhian Socialism. Present government is committed to Socialism and is trying to implement 20- point programme.
(iii) India is a Secular State:
By inserting the word “Secular” in the Preamble to the Constitution by 42nd amendment, India is declared a secular state in clear words. Such a system is adopted in the Constitution that India is made secular state without any doubt. In the words of Smith, “The Secular State is important to the future of Indian Democracy itself. It stands or falls as basic and inseparable comment of modem liberal democracy.” By “Secularism” Mr. Swaran Singh explained, “We do not mean that we are against any religion. On the contrary, it symbolises our respect for all the religions and desire to treat them at par.”
(iv) India is a Democratic State:
The Indian polity is based on democratic principles. The people elect their representatives who use the sovereign authority on behalf of the people. The government is of the people and for the people. The represenatives are elected periodically by the people.
(v) India is a Republican State:
The word ‘Republic’ means that-the head of the State shall be an elected one for a fixed tenure. In the Indian Constitution there is no room for a hereditary monarch like the one in England. At the time of the assumption of office the President has to take an oath “To devote himself to the service and well-being of the people of India.” In the event of the violation of the Constitution the President can be impeached and removed from the office. Hence the Indian President is accountable to the people. However, the devices of direct democracy—Initiative, Referendum or Recall— are not available in the Indian Constitution.
3. Objectives of the Constitution:
In the third place, the Preamble defines the objectives to be achieved. They are:
(i) Justice:
The object of the Constitution is that all the citizens of India should get justice in every sphere of life. In the preamble the Idea of achieving Social, Economic and Political Justice for all citizens has been mentioned. To achieve Social, Economic and Political Justice provisions have been mentioned in the Constitution.
Social Justice:
The very incorporation of the term Social Justice in the Constitution made it clear that it is the duty of the state to work positively against discrimination existing in Indian society on the basis of baste, community, race or religion. The state is expected to work for creating an environment in which a more reasonable attitude towards social relations is cultivated. To achieve social justice, right to equality is mentioned in Part III of the Constitution.
The Right to Equality forbids any discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them. But the state has a right to make special provision for the upliftment of the backward classes, women and children. Article 17 abolishes untouchability and its practice in any form is forbidden. All the citizens of India, irrespective of their caste and creed, have an equal access to public place.
Article 23 bans exploitation like ‘Begaar’ and similar other forms of forced labour. Article 24 prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 in any factory, mine etc.
Economic Justice:
Economic Justice is ensured to people by the Directive Principles of State Policy. They ensure that no discimination would be made between persons on the basis of their economic standing. Article 39 calls upon the state to direct its policy to ensure that the citizens, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood and that there is equal pay for equal work for both men and women.The material resources of the country should be so distributed as to subserve the common good.
Political Justice:
Political Justice means that all the citizens should enjoy equal political rights. In other words, citizens should have the right to participate in the government. There is adult franchise and right to contest election. All citizens are treated equal before the law and all are given equal rights.
(ii) Liberty:
The Constitution aims not merely at securing justice to the people of the country but also liberty, without which human personality cannot be expected to develop fully. The citizens of India have been guaranteed a number of freedoms by the Constitution. Part III of the Constitution deals with the Fundamental Rights of the citizens. Some of the very important freedoms have been mentioned in the Preamble also. They are liberty of thought, freedom to express one’s views, belief and worship. The Preamble hates the idea of standardisation of ideas, desire of uniformity. Similarly, none can be compelled to follow a particular religion. “State dictated morality is no morality.”
(iii) Equality:
It has been rightly said that “Men are bom and reamin free and equal in rights.” The Preamble ensures equality of all in the eyes of law. Liberty and equality go hand in hand. Equality does not mean that all persons are equal in every respect. The positive concept of equality is that all persons should be given equal opportunities to rise and develop. Equality means that “among equals the law should be equal and should-be equally administered, that like should be treated alike.”
No person is to be deprived of his life and liberty unless he has violated a law in existence. And he is to be deprived of his life and liberty in accordance with law. In short, law is not the respector of personalities. Whatever may be the social status of person, he is subject to law. There can be no discrimination between one citizen and another on the basis of religion, language, caste, class, sex etc.
(iv) Fraternity:
The Preamble to the Constitution lays special stress upon the promotion of fellow-feeling among the people of India. Unless the people become a community of interests, their cohesion into one nation is not possible. The separatist tendencies, so systematically nursed by the alien rule, had resulted into an orgy of loot and murder. The makers of the Constitution had not forgotten the shocks due to the partition of the country. Unity of the country and consolidation of the nation were of paramount necessity. Hence every effort was made to achieve the desired end. One such step was the provision of single citizenship in the country.
(v) Integrity:
The inclusion of the term integrity expressed “our determination to put an end to separatist tendencies.” Effort was made to make people feel at home in every part of India from whichever state or region they might come. “Thus the Preamble reflects the aims and objectives of the new nation-a living, vital and progressive nation,” The makers of the Constitution aimed at the establishment of a society free from hunger, misery, starvation and exploitation a society where each stands for all and all for each.
The Preamble, though not a legal part of the Constitution, yet it is an integral part of the Constitution. It helps in explaining the various articles of the Constitution. “It is a key to open the mind of the makers.” Hence its importance.
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Write a short note on the Necessity of Preamble in a Constitution.
Or
What do you mean by the term Preamble?
Answer:
It is considered essential that every written constitution should possess a preamble. The preamble contains the basic ideas and philosophical postulates of a purpose of a window through which we peep into the indentions of the maters of the constitution. It enables the people to assess and evaluate the performance of the government in the light of the objectives laid down in the preamble.
Question 2.
What is the nature of state according to the Preamble?
Answer:
The nature of the state according to the preamble is as under:
- India is a Sovereign state
- India is a Democratic state
- India is a Secular state
- India is a Socialist state and
- India is a Republic.
Question 3.
Discuss the objectives of our Constitution as embodied in the Preamble.
Answer:
Following are the objectives of our constitution as given in the Preamble.
- Justice-social, political and economic.
- Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship,
- Equality of status and opportunity, and
- Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the Unity of the Nation.
Question 4.
Explain the term Republic.
Answer:
The word ‘Repubbc’ means that the head of the state shall be an elected one for a fixed tenure. India is Republic. The President of India is indirectly elected by the representatives of the people for a period of five years. He can even be impeached and removed from office before the expiry of five years. Any citizen of India fulfilling required qualifications can contest the election of the President of India. He may be the follower of any religion. In India politics has been separated from religion. Thus the Indian repubbc is a democratic repubbc.
Question 5.
Explain the term Fraternity.
Answer:
The dictionary meaning of the term Fraternity is “brotherhood’. Without fraternity, liberty and equality are meaningless. It was the main slogan of the French revolution. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution lays special stress upon the promotion of fellow feeling among the people of India.
Unless the people become a community of interests, their cohesion into the nation is not possible. The separatist tendencies ; so systematically nursed by the alien rule, had resulted into an orgy of loot and murder. The makers of the constitution had not forgotten the shocks due to the partition of the country. Unity of the country and consolidation of the nation were of paramount necessity. Hence every effort was made to achieve the desired end.
Question 6.
What do you mean by Social and Economic Justice?
Answer:
In the preamble the idea of achieveing Social and Economic Justice for all citizens has been mentioned. Social Justice means that all the people living in society are equal. The people should not be treated discriminately on the basis of caste, religion, colour and sex. All the people should have equal opportunities to develop their personalities. All should have equal facilities to use public places, religious places and the places of entertainment. The State should adopt the policy of untouchability and interests of the minorities should be safeguarded.
Economic Justice means that no discrimination should be made between persons on the basis of their economic status. Equal opportunities should be provided to all citizens to acquire wealth and use it for their living.
Question 7.
Write short note on Objective Resolution of 1947.
Answer:
The first session of the Constituent Assembly was held on Dec. 9, 1946. On Dec. 13, 1946, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru moved his Objective Resolution. Some of the important provisions of the Objective Resolution were as follow:
1. This Constituent Assembly declares its firm and solemn resolve to proclaim India as an Independent Sovereign Republic and to draw up for the future governance a Costitution;
2. Wherein all power and authority of the sovereign Independent India, its Constituent parts and organs of government, are derived from the people
3. Wherein shall be guaranteed and secured to all the people of India, Justice-social, economic and political, equality of status, of opportunity, and before the law; freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship, vocation, association and action, subject to law and public morality; and
4. Wherein adequate safeguards shall be provided for minorities, backward and tribal areas and depressed and other classes. The Objective Resolution gave expression to the ideals and aspirations of the people of India.
Question 8.
Write down the meaning of Secular mentioned in the Preamble of Indian Constitution.
Answer:
By inserting the word “Secular” in the Preamble of the Constitution by 42nd amendment, India is declared a secular state in clear words. Such a system is adopted in the Constitution that India is made secular state without any doubt. Right to freedom of religion has been granted to all persons residing in India under Art. 25-28 of Indian Constitution.
According to this right, all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practise and propagate religion. State has no religion of its own. The state shows full neutrality in the religious matters. All this shows that India is a Secular State.
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
What do you mean by the term Preamble?
Answer:
It is considered essential that every written constitution should possess a preamble. The preamble contains the basic ideas and philosophical postulates of a constitution. The preamble to a constitution mirrors the spirit of constitution. The Indian constitution also begins with a preamble. Preamble is essential because it serves the purpose of a window through which we peep into the intentions of the makers of the constitution.
Question 2.
Discuss the objectives of our Constitution as embodied in the Preample.
Answer:
Following are the objectives of our constitution as given in the Preamble.
- Justice-social, political and economic.
- Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship,
- Equality of status and opportunity, and
- Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the Unity of the Nation.
Question 3.
Explain the term Republic.
Answer:
The word ‘Republic’ means that the head of the state shall be an elected one for a fixed tenure. India is Republic. The President of India is indirectly elected by the representatives of the people for a period of five years. He can even be impeached and removed from office before the expiry of five years.
Question 4.
Explain the term Fraternity.
Answer:
The dictionary meaning of the term Fraternity is “brotherhood’. Without fraternity, liberty and equality are meaningless. It was the main slogan of the French revolution. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution lays special stress upon the promotion of fellow¬feeling among the people of India. Unless the people become a community of interests, their cohesion into the nation is not possible.
One Word to One Sentence Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Which two important words were incorporated in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution through the 42nd amendment?
Answer:
- Socialist
- Secular.
Question 2.
Which three aspects of the Indian Constitution are reflected in the Preamble?
Answer:
- What is the source of Constitutional power?
- What is the nature of Indian Political System?
- What are the objectives of the Constitution?
Question 3.
Mention any one feature of Indian Political System.
Answer:
India is a sovereign democrats republic.
Question 4.
Write down any one objective of the Indian constitution mentioned in the Preamble.
Answer:
All citizens of India should get justice.
Question 5.
How is India a Republic?
Answer:
In India, the head of the executive is President who is indirectly elected by an electoral college for a period of five years. So India is a Republic.
Question 6.
Who has called the Preamble to Indian Constitution as the ‘Political Horoscope’? Was he a member of Constituent Assembly?
Answer:
K.M. Munshi called the Preamble as the political horoscope. He was member of the Constituent Assembly.
Question 7.
What was India declared in the Original Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
Answer:
The Original (Unamended) Preamble of the Indian Constitution declared India as a Sovereign, Democratic, Republic.
Question 8.
Mention the kinds of Justipe included in the Preamble of the Constitution.
Answer:
The object of the Constitution is that all the citizens of India should get Justice in every sphere of life. In the preamble the idea of achieving Social, Economic and Political Justice for all has been mentioned.
Fill in the blanks
1. The …………………… is a summary of the objective and the basic Philosophy of a Constitution.
Answer:
Preamble
2. The Indian …………………… begins with a Preamble.
Answer:
Constitution
3. The preamble is based on the ‘Objective Resolution’ moved by …………………… on Dec. 9, 1946.
Answer:
Pt. Jawahar Lai Nehru
4. The preamble Proclaims India is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic …………………… state.
Answer:
Republic
5. The preamble assures the people of India Justice-social …………………… and potitical.
Answer:
Economic.
True or False statement
1. The preamble helps us in understanding the basic philosophy of the Indian Constitution.
Answer:
True
2. The preamble expresses in a very clear language that foreigner are the ultimate source of all authority.
Answer:
False
3. India is a Sovereign State.
Answer:
True
4. India is a Secular State.
Answer:
True
5. India is not a Republican State.
Answer:
False
Choose The Correct Answer
Question 1.
Preamble of Indian Constitution begins with these words:
(A) People’s Sovereignty
(B) Republic of India
(C) Democratic India
(D) We the people of India.
Answer:
(D) We the people of India.
Question 2.
Which amendment of the Constitution added the Words ‘Socialist’ and ‘ Secular* in the Preamble?
(A) 44th amendment
(B) 42nd amendment
(C) 46th amendment
(D) 50th amendment.
Answer:
(B) 42nd amendment
Question 3.
What is the meaning of: ‘We, the people of India’?
(A) That the people of India are direct rulers of the country
(B) That the ultimate sovereignty is vested with the people
(C) None of these.
Answer:
(B) That the ultimate sovereignty is vested with the people
Question 4.
Which of the following statement is correct?
(A) India is a Sovereign, Socialist, Republic
(B) India is a Sovereign, Democratic, Monarchic state
(C) India is a. Sovereign, Democratic Republic.
(D) India is a .Sovereign, Social, Secular, Democratic Republic.
Answer:
(D) India is a .Sovereign, Social, Secular, Democratic Republic.
Question 5.
Who called Preamble ‘Political Horoscope’?
(A) K.M. Munshi
(B) Pt. Jawahar Lai Nehru
(C) Dr. Ambedkar
(D) Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
Answer:
(A) K.M. Munshi
Question 6.
Objectives of the Constitution is:
(A) Justice
(B) Liberty
(C) Equality
(D) All the above.
Answer:
(D) All the above.