We celebrate Republic Day on 26th January every year as a remembrance of our Constitution. The Constitution of India came into effect from 26th January, 1950 and made India a completely independent republic. We also celebrate the Constitution Day on 26th November because on 26th November 1949 we adopted our Constitution. The Constitution is also the supreme law of the land and none can violate the provisions of the Constitution.
I wonder how difficult is it to understand the Indian Constitution because we have a Preamble to the Constitution which is the basic structure of the Constitution and which tells us the main aims and what is the Indian Constitution all about. Our ancestors, freedom fighters gave us this Constitution to have a definite and written set of laws/rules which would be followed throughout the years. The Constitution declares all the citizens as equal and cannot be discriminated on any ground.
Being a political science student, I studied the Constitution, the articles, laws and the meaning of all words written in the Preamble. Today, celebrating Republic Day and remembering the Indian Constitution, I would try to explain each and every word of the Preamble the best I can in my own words and what I understand of it. Pardon, if I go wrong somewhere.
We, the people of India- i.e. all of us, the citizens of India.
Having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a- i.e. with deep sincerity , we are determined to make India into a
Sovereign- i.e. independent from any foreign rule or authority, we are independent to make our own decisions and policies and no other nation can interfere in our country's matters.
Socialist- i.e. India believes in equal distribution of wealth and income among the citizens.
Secular- i.e. India does not have any state religion, we do not follow or worship any particular religion and all religions are equal in India.
Democratic- i.e. India will be a democracy. The people will elect their representatives.
Republic- i.e. India will be a country where the people are supreme. They have the power to elect their representatives and not follow monarchy.
And to secure to all its citizens- i.e. we guarantee our citizens.
Justice, social, economic and political- i.e. the Indian state seeks to provide justice to all on all three social, economic and political grounds. Social justice means that there shall be no discrimination on any grounds such as religion, race, colour, caste, etc. No one shall be prohibited from entering any public place or place of worship on these grounds. No one can be denied work or education on these grounds.
Economic justice means that there shall be fair and equitable distribution of wealth and income among the masses without discrimination on the grounds mentioned above.
Political justice means the 5 political rights that we, as citizens of India acquire- 1. Right to vote. 2. Right to contest elections. 3. Right to hold public offices and buildings. 4. Right to choose and elect the government. 5. Right to remove the government by suitable means if the people are discontent or dissatisfied.
Prohibition on any of these grounds in any of these 3 spheres is punishable by law. Political justice also means representation of all people of all backgrounds especially the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and OBC and women.
Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship- i.e. the people of India are free to express their thoughts and their beliefs, their opinions. They can worship any religion and propagate it. India does not follow any state religion. The people are free to practice, profess and propagate any religion or their beliefs freely unless and until it does not violate the religion and feelings of others.
Equality of status and opportunity- i.e. the people have equality in status and opportunity. They cannot be discriminated on any grounds like race, religion, colour, caste and they can't be denied their right to work on these grounds. They cannot be denied their opportunities.
And to promote among them all- i.e. to inculcate among them all
Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation- i.e. Fraternity means brotherhood and oneness. Thus, we are encouraged to promote brotherhood and oneness among others. This assures our dignity. Following this oneness, the unity and integrity of the nation is our prime concern.
In our Constituent Assembly this twenty-sixth day of November 1949, do hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution- i.e. in our Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949 our Constitution was adopted, enacted and given to US (THE PEOPLE OF INDIA).
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