Words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ In Preamble | PWOnlyIAS 2023

September 21, 2023

GS Paper II Indian Polity and Governance

Subject: GS2: Polity and Governance

Context:

An opposition leader claimed that the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ were missing from the new Constitution copies distributed to MPs.

History of ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble:

The two terms “socialist” and “secular” were inserted into the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution in 1976.
This was done during the Emergency imposed by the then-Prime Minister between 1975 and 1977.

Secular state: The Constitution of India stands for a Secular State. Hence, it does not uphold any particular religion as the official religion of the Indian State.

The following provisions of the Constitution reveal the secular character of the Indian State:
- The Preamble secures to all citizens of India liberty of belief, faith and worship.
- Article 14: The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or equal protection of the laws
- Article 15: The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on the ground of religion.
- Article 16:Equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of public employment.
- Article 25: All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate any religion

Indian model of Secularism	Western Model of Secularism
Equal protection by the state to all religions. State is neutral to all religious groups but not necessarily separate.	State is separate from the functioning of all religious institutions and groups.
No clear demarcation between state and religion in India.Positive intervention of the state in religious affairs is not prohibited	In western society, secularism refers to the complete separation between the state and religion.
The Indian Constitution permits partial financial support for religious schools, as well as the financing of religious buildings and infrastructure by the state.	As per the western model, the state cannot give any financial support to educational institutions run by religious communities.
Rights of both individuals and religious communities are protected.	Individual and his/her rights are at the center

Socialism:

Indian socialism is a ‘democratic socialism’ which holds faith in a ‘mixed economy’ where both public and private sectors co-exist side by side.
Indian socialism is a blend of Marxism and Gandhism, leaning heavily towards Gandhian socialism.

News Source: Business Standard