Opinions of Thinkers Regarding the Preamble of the Indian Constitution

Thought for Today

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar:: As the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar viewed the Preamble as a concise yet comprehensive expression of the aims and objectives of the Constitution. He believed that it encapsulated the essence of the entire Constitution and would serve as a guiding light for future generations.
Jawaharlal Nehru:: Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, considered the Preamble as a declaration of the nation's resolve to build a just and inclusive society. He saw it as a reflection of India's commitment to democratic governance, social welfare, and individual freedom.
Granville Austin:: A renowned constitutional historian, Granville Austin, praised the Preamble as the "heart and soul" of the Constitution. He noted that it highlighted India's aspirations for a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic state that upholds justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Justice Hans Raj Khanna:: In his dissenting opinion in the Kesavananda Bharati case, Justice Khanna described the Preamble as the "identity card" of the Constitution. He emphasized that the Preamble's values and objectives must guide the interpretation of the Constitution's provisions.
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee:: The founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (a predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party), Mukherjee expressed concerns about the word "Secular" being added to the Preamble through the 42nd Amendment. He believed that it might lead to state interference in religious matters.
K.M. Munshi:: A member of the Constituent Assembly, Munshi praised the Preamble as a source of inspiration for the nation. He stated that it laid down the fundamentals of India's governance and encouraged citizens to work towards realizing its ideals.
Fali S. Nariman:: Eminent jurist Fali S. Nariman highlighted the Preamble's significance in guiding the judiciary's interpretation of the Constitution. He stressed that the Preamble's values act as a benchmark for assessing the constitutionality of laws and actions.
Solomon F. Dias:: A constitutional scholar, Dias argued that the Preamble was the preamble to the "body of the Constitution" and emphasized the importance of understanding the Constitution's essence through its Preamble.
Constitutional Scholars:: Many scholars believe that the Preamble is not just an ornamental preface but a substantive part of the Constitution. They underscore its role in reflecting the will of the people and setting the overarching goals for the governance of the nation.