India is a constitutional democracy. This means that people of India opted for a value-based democracy presented in her Constitution. Just as our lives are propelled by the values we cherish, so also the greatness of India will be steered by the practice of those values by citizens as well as the constitutional institutions. Similarly, just as a person’s nobility of character depends on the choices one makes in favour of values held, in the same way the greatness of India will depend on the practice of those values by citizens and constitutional institutions. In this piece, I shall make a humble attempt to present the constitutional values solemnly proclaimed in the Preamble of the Constitution of India (hereafter CoI). In the Keshavananda Bharati Case, the then Chief Justice Mr. Sikri made this statement, “The Preamble of our Constitution is of extreme importance and the Constitution should be read and interpreted in the light of the grand and noble vision expressed in the Preamble.” Thus, the Preamble of the CoI is not only a norm to measure the welfare of the country but also the measuring-rod for quality of life of her citizens.
The Preamble of the Constitution declares:
“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 assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this 26th day of November 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.”
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Fr Ravi Sagar SJ
