Resolution to be moved in Rajya Sabha to remove the word “Socialism” in the Constitution

The ruling party (BJP) member of Rajya Sabha Shri Rakesh Sinha has issued a notice to the Chairman to permit to move a resolution. The resolution aims to drop the word “Socialist” in the Constitution.

Highlights

The resolution claims that the world socialism is redundant in the current scenario. It has to be dropped to create space for economic thinking. The Preamble of Constitution declares India to be sovereign, secular, socialist and democratic republic.

The resolution claims that word was included without enough debate in the Parliament as it was introduced during emergency.

42^nd amendment of the Constitution

The words “Socialist” and “Secular” were included in the 42^nd amendment of the Constitution. The amendment was passed during the emergency period. The amendment attempted to reduce the powers of Supreme Court. It laid down fundamental duties of Indian Citizens. The amendment brought in several changes for it was addressed as “Mini-constitution”.

The amendment gave Parliament powers amend the constitution without judicial review. IT also changed the preamble of the constitution. The description of India in the preamble as “Sovereign Democratic Republic” was changed to “Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic”. It also changed “unity of the nation” to “unity and integrity of the nation”.

Can Preamble be amended?

Yes.

However, till 1973, the Supreme Court also held that Preamble shall not be amended as it is not a part of the Constitution.

In 1973, Keshvananda Bharti Case, the Supreme Court pronounced that Preamble is a part of the Constitution and Parliament has full rights to amend the Preamble.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2020