Points to Remember:
- The Preamble of the Indian Constitution is a concise statement of its fundamental principles and objectives.
- It draws inspiration from various sources, reflecting the historical context of India’s independence.
- Identifying the primary source requires understanding the evolution of India’s constitutional thought.
Introduction:
The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is not merely a decorative introduction; it’s a vital part of the Constitution itself, outlining its fundamental goals and principles. It declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic, assuring its citizens justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. Understanding its origins is crucial to comprehending the philosophical underpinnings of the Indian state. This question requires a factual approach, focusing on identifying the document that most directly influenced the Preamble’s drafting.
Body:
Analyzing the Options:
(A) Nehru Report (1928): The Nehru Report, drafted by a committee headed by Motilal Nehru, proposed a dominion status for India with a strong central government. While it influenced the constitutional debate, its impact on the Preamble’s specific wording is limited. It didn’t explicitly lay out the socialist, secular, or democratic ideals as prominently featured in the Preamble.
(B) Objectives Resolution (1946): This resolution, moved by Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constituent Assembly, is widely considered the most direct precursor to the Preamble. It explicitly outlined the key features of the envisioned Indian state, including its sovereign, democratic, and republican character. The resolution’s emphasis on justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity directly mirrors the Preamble’s language. This makes it the most significant source.
(C) Government of India Act, 1935: This Act was a significant piece of British legislation governing India. While it provided a framework for governance, it did not articulate the fundamental principles and ideals that form the core of the Indian Preamble. It was largely a product of British imperial interests, not a reflection of Indian aspirations for self-determination.
(D) Indian Independence Act, 1947: This Act granted India independence. It dealt primarily with the transfer of power and the partition of India. While crucial for India’s independence, it did not directly shape the philosophical content of the Preamble. Its focus was primarily procedural and legal, not ideological.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while the Nehru Report and the Government of India Act, 1935, and the Indian Independence Act, 1947 contributed to the broader constitutional context, the Objectives Resolution (1946) is the most accurate answer. It provided the foundational philosophical framework and the core language that directly shaped the Preamble’s content. The Preamble’s ideals of a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, ensuring justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, are all explicitly rooted in Nehru’s Objectives Resolution. Moving forward, understanding the historical context of the Preamble’s creation is crucial for upholding the constitutional values it embodies and ensuring their continued relevance in a dynamic India. This understanding fosters a deeper appreciation for the democratic principles that underpin the Indian nation.
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