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Before the term was added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, the Constitution had socialist content in the form of certain Directive Principles of State Policy. The term socialist used here refers to democratic socialism, i.e. achievement of socialist goals through democratic, evolutionary and non-violent means.
Key words in the Preamble In the country, the legislature has the power to make laws which are subject to certain limitations. Socialist: The term means the achievement of socialist ends through democratic means. It holds faith in a mixed economy where both private and public sectors co-exist side by side.
Is socialism added to Indian constitution?
Political parties The word socialist was added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd amendment act of 1976, during the Emergency. It implies social and economic equality.
The 42nd Amendment changed the description of India from a “sovereign democratic republic” to a “sovereign, socialist secular democratic republic”, and also changed the words “unity of the nation” to “unity and integrity of the nation”.
Is Preamble a part of Indian Constitution?
It was held that Preamble is not a part of the Constitution. However, it is a key to the mind of framers of the Constitution and it reveals their intentions. Preamble is in itself neither a source of any powers, nor a source of any restrictions. The preamble is an important tool for interpretation of the Constitution.
What is Socialist in Indian Constitution?
The word socialist was added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd amendment act of 1976, during the Emergency. It implies social and economic equality. Social equality in this context means the absence of discrimination on the grounds only of caste, colour, creed, sex, religion, or language.
State of Andhra Pradesh the Supreme Court has stated while defining socialism “Establishment of the Egalitarian social Order through the rule of law is the basic structure of the constitution”. The Court laid emphasis on social justice so as to attain substantial degree of social, economic and political equality.