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

News: A BJP member of the Rajya Sabha is set to move a resolution in the House seeking the removal of the phrase “socialism” from the preamble of the Constitution.

Facts:

Preamble to the Indian Constitution:

  • It serves as a brief introductory statement of the Constitution that sets out the guiding purpose, principles and philosophy of the Indian Constitution.
  • The preamble of the Constitution declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic. As originally enacted the preamble described India as a “sovereign democratic republic”.
  • The term ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were added in the Preamble by 42nd Amendment, 1976. 
  • Socialist means the achievement of socialist ends through democratic means. It is basically a ‘Democratic Socialism’ that holds faith in a mixed economy where both private and public sectors co-exist side by side.