Meaning of Preamble and Sovereign State
A book begins with a preface that tells its purpose. In the same way the Preamble tells the purpose of the Constitution.
A Preamble is the orderly arrangement of the aims of a law. The Preamble to the Indian Constitution says that India is a ‘Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic’.
Key idea 1 : What the Preamble says — The Constitution is the fundamental and highest law of the land. Every law has definite aims and basic provisions are made after clarifying them. The Preamble to the Constitution sets out its aims. It begins with the words ‘We, the people of India’ and tells the Indians’ resolve to constitute India into a ‘Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic’.
Key idea 2 : Sovereign State — India was ruled by Britain for a long time. British rule ended on 15 August 1947 and India became independent, that is, sovereign. We are now free to take decisions as we think fit in our own country. Sovereign means a State is not under the control of a foreign power. Sovereignty means the ultimate authority to govern oneself.
Key idea 3 : Popular sovereignty — In a democracy sovereignty rests with the people. The people elect their representatives and grant them permission to exercise sovereign authority on their behalf. So the Constitution reflects the principle of popular sovereignty and the government elected by the people makes laws on behalf of the people. The most important goal of our freedom struggle was to acquire sovereignty.
- Easy : With which words does the Preamble begin? — We, the people of India.
- Medium : When did India become sovereign? — 15 August 1947.
- Exam-type : Sovereignty rests with whom? — The people.
In the figure: Key words of the Preamble.
What happened before The independence of India? In the freedom struggle the biggest goal of Indians was to be free from foreign power and govern themselves.
What happened after The independence of India? On 15 August 1947 British rule ended; India made its own Constitution and began its Preamble with ‘We, the people of India’.
Sovereign = no foreign control; sovereignty = with people.
Sovereign does not mean the government can do anything; sovereignty rests with the people and is used within the Constitution.
Memory clue: Preamble = goals; sovereign = independent decisions.
Spot the difference
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Preamble | Statement of aims | ‘We, the people of India’ |
| Sovereign | No foreign control | India after 15 Aug 1947 |
Practice questions
- 1What is a Preamble?
- 2With which words does the Preamble begin?
- 3What is a sovereign State?
- 4State the meaning of sovereignty.
- 5Who holds sovereignty in a democracy?
- 6List the key words in the Preamble.
- 7Why was sovereignty the most important goal of the freedom struggle?
- 8Write in your words the meaning of ‘We, the people of India’.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1The preface that tells the aims of the Constitution.
- 2‘We, the people of India’.
- 3A State not under the control of any foreign power.
- 4The ultimate authority to govern oneself.
- 5With the people.
- 6Sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic.
- 7Because under foreign rule own decisions could not be taken.
- 8The Indian people have adopted this Constitution for themselves.
Socialist and Secular State
If everyone in a class gets the same books and seating, no one is left behind. The idea of socialism is similar.
A socialist State is one where the gap between the rich and the poor is minimum. A secular State is one where all religions are considered equal.
Key idea 1 : Socialist State — In a socialist State everyone has a right over the wealth of the country. Care is taken that wealth does not concentrate in the hands of a few. So an effort is made to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.
Key idea 2 : Secular State — The Preamble states secularism as one of our goals. In a secular State all religions are considered equal. No one religion is the State religion. Citizens are free to follow their own religion and the State cannot discriminate among citizens on the basis of religion.
Key idea 3 : Freedom with responsibility — We have endeavoured to preserve the multi-religious nature of our society. We cannot exercise the rights given by the Constitution in an unrestrained manner; the same is true of religious freedom. While celebrating festivals we must be concerned about public cleanliness, health and environment.
- Easy : Which gap shrinks in a socialist State? — Rich-poor.
- Medium : How many State religions? — None.
- Exam-type : What to care for during festivals? — Cleanliness, health, environment.
In the figure: Socialism and secularism.
The textbook says we cannot use constitutional rights without restraint; while celebrating festivals we must care for cleanliness, health and the environment. (as per the textbook)
Socialist = small gap; secular = all religions equal.
Secular does not mean having no religion; all religions get an equal place.
Memory clue: Socialist = wealth for all; secular = all equal.
Spot the difference
| Word | Meaning | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Socialist | Small rich-poor gap | Fairer wealth sharing |
| Secular | All religions equal | No discrimination by religion |
Practice questions
- 1What is a socialist State?
- 2What is a secular State?
- 3Why is there no State religion?
- 4What does religious freedom for citizens mean?
- 5What care should be taken while celebrating festivals?
- 6What is the benefit of wealth not staying with a few?
- 7How do you experience secularism in your school?
- 8Write the difference between socialism and secularism.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Where the rich-poor gap is minimum and everyone has a right over wealth.
- 2Where all religions are considered equal.
- 3Because the State gives special place to no single religion.
- 4Freedom to follow one’s own religion.
- 5Of cleanliness, health and environment.
- 6Poverty reduces and opportunities reach everyone.
- 7E.g. celebrating all festivals together.
- 8Socialism is about wealth, secularism about religion.
Democratic State and Republic
The class representative is chosen by classmates, not appointed by a teacher. In a democracy representatives are chosen by the people.
In a democracy sovereign power is in the hands of the people. In a Republic all public positions are elected by the people; no position is held by hereditary succession.
Key idea 1 : Democratic State — The government takes decisions and makes policies according to the people’s wishes. For common welfare it has to take important economic and social decisions. All people cannot gather daily to take such decisions, so elections are held after fixed periods and voters elect representatives. These representatives sit in institutions created by the Constitution, like Parliament or Legislature and the Executive, and take decisions for the whole population as per the procedure laid down.
Key idea 2 : Republic — Along with being a democracy we are a Republic. All public positions in a Republic are elected by the people and no public position is occupied by hereditary succession. The President, Prime Minister, Governor, Chief Minister, Mayor and Sarpanch are public positions. Any Indian citizen fulfilling the prescribed age criterion can get himself or herself elected to any of these. In a monarchy these positions may be held by members of a single family by heredity.
Key idea 3 : Democracy is not only elections — Deepa wrote on ‘My Family’ that her parents do household work together and the children help, even if they fight they listen to each other and end it soon, and for any change even the grandparents are consulted. Anuja wants agricultural research as a career and everyone appreciated her decision. This shows democracy is not only elections; it is also in behaviour like discussion, participation and listening to others’ views.
- Easy : Is a position hereditary in a Republic? — No.
- Medium : What kind of post is Sarpanch? — A public post.
- Exam-type : Who elects representatives? — Voters.
In the figure: Chain from voters to decisions.
Deepa’s ‘My Family’ passage in the textbook shows that discussion, participation and listening are marks of democracy even at home. (as per the textbook)
Democracy = people’s power; Republic = no heredity.
Holding elections alone does not complete democracy; people’s participation and discussion are also needed.
Memory clue: People + election = democracy; elected posts = Republic.
Spot the difference
| Point | Republic | Monarchy |
|---|---|---|
| How post is got | By election | By heredity |
| Example | India | Where king is hereditary |
Practice questions
- 1What is a democratic State?
- 2Why are elections held?
- 3What is a Republic?
- 4State the difference between Republic and monarchy.
- 5Write names of four public posts.
- 6Why can Deepa’s home be called democratic?
- 7How would you take a decision democratically in your class?
- 8Write three features of democracy.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Where sovereign power rests with the people.
- 2All people cannot gather, so as to elect representatives.
- 3Where all public posts are elected, not hereditary.
- 4Election in Republic, heredity in monarchy.
- 5President, Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Sarpanch.
- 6Because there is discussion, participation and respect for all views.
- 7By discussion, hearing all views, by voting.
- 8Power with people, elections, participation.
Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity
If in a game everyone gets a chance to play, freedom to speak and equal respect, the game is joyful. The values of the Preamble are similar.
The Preamble has guaranteed Indians the three values of justice, liberty and equality and the goal of fraternity. Practising these values and making laws in keeping with them is the citizens’ task.
Key idea 1 : Justice — Justice means removing injustice and ensuring everyone has the opportunity for progress. The Preamble talks of three types of justice. Social justice: no discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, race, language, region, place of birth or sex; all have the same dignity and status. Economic justice: poverty causes hunger and malnourishment; everyone has the right to a source of livelihood to look after oneself and family. Political justice: universal adult franchise; all citizens who completed 18 years have the right to vote.
Key idea 2 : Liberty and Equality — Liberty means there are no coercive, unfair restrictions on us and an atmosphere helps develop our inherent capacities. Freedom of thought and expression is an individual’s most fundamental freedom; it enhances cooperation and unity. Liberty of belief, faith and worship is religious freedom. Equality means equality of status and of opportunity: no high-low or superior-inferior distinction and equal opportunities of development for all.
Key idea 3 : Fraternity and human dignity — The makers of the Constitution believed that merely guaranteeing justice, liberty and equality would not bring equality to Indian society; no amount of laws would help if fraternity among Indians was lacking. Fraternity means a ‘we-feeling’ towards one another; it creates empathy. Fraternity is closely related to human dignity: equal respect for each person irrespective of caste, creed, race, sex or language. Just as we want respect, we should give the same to others.
- Easy : Voting age? — 18 years.
- Medium : Types of justice? — Three (social, economic, political).
- Exam-type : What is fraternity? — A ‘we-feeling’.
In the figure: Justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
What happened before Lowering of the voting age? When the Constitution came into force in 1950 there was universal adult franchise, but the voting age was 21. Youth had to wait to cast a vote.
What happened after Lowering of the voting age? The 61st Amendment (passed by Parliament in December 1988) lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years. Millions of young people aged 18 to 21 became voters for the first time.
Justice liberty equality fraternity = JLEF; voter = 18 years.
Liberty does not mean behaving as one pleases; behaving responsibly is liberty.
Memory clue: Social-Economic-Political = three justices.
Spot the difference
| Type of justice | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Social | No discrimination | Equal dignity to all |
| Economic | Right to livelihood | Job opportunity |
| Political | Adult franchise | Vote for all above 18 |
Practice questions
- 1What is justice?
- 2Name the three types of justice in the Preamble.
- 3What is liberty? What is religious freedom?
- 4What is equality?
- 5Why is equality of opportunity important?
- 6What is fraternity and why is it necessary?
- 7What was the effect of lowering the voting age from 21 to 18?
- 8How should we use freedom? Write your views.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Removing injustice and giving everyone a chance to progress.
- 2Social, economic, political.
- 3Absence of coercive restrictions; freedom of belief and worship.
- 4Equality of status and opportunity; no high-low distinction.
- 5Everyone gets an equal chance to develop.
- 6A ‘we-feeling’; without it laws are insufficient.
- 7Young people got the right to vote earlier.
- 8Responsibly, with respect for others.