Why the Karnataka government’s mandate to include Preamble of Constitution in daily routine of schools is a welcome move

To rekindle constitutional values among the younger generations, the Karnataka Government has decided to make reading of the Preamble mandatory in schools and colleges.

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ON June 15, the Karnataka State Government mandated that schools and colleges in the state include a reading of the Preamble of the Constitution of India in their daily routine.

A welcome step to rekindle our constitutional commitments which are fading in a time of communal politics. The mandatory reading of the Preamble will foster a deeper understanding of constitutional values among the new generation to combat bigotry, intolerance and discrimination.

In an era where educational institutions face the spectre of saffronisation under the guise of a 'rationalisation programmes', the mandated reading of the Preamble serves as a poignant reminder of the vision we once held for ourselves. 

It reaffirms our identity as a sovereign state, cherishing our hard-won independence. As a socialist state, it underscores our commitment to eradicating economic inequality while pursuing the democratic quintessence. 

It reminds us of our secular values, neither favouring nor opposing any particular religious belief. It emphasises our status as a democratic republic, where the power lies with the people who exercise their franchise to elect their representatives. 

It upholds justice across the triad: social, economic and political spheres. It ensures liberty for all to express themselves and choose their faith. It champions equality before the law and equal opportunities to all. It inspires a spirit of fraternal concord that unites us all.

Amidst the challenges of educational saffronisation, the Preamble stands as a beacon of hope, guiding us back to the inclusive and democratic ideals we envisioned for our nation. 

Meaning of the term preamble

The term 'preamble' finds its roots in the Latin word preambulus, which translates to 'walking before'. In essence, this meaning encapsulates the purpose of the Preamble of our Constitution— a guiding force that leads us forward as a nation. 

Within the concise draft lies the key to interpret the semantic intent of the forefathers of the longest constitution in the world.

As we delve into the origins of the Preamble, we are reminded of Jawaharlal Nehru's Objectives Resolution, which served as the guiding light for the crafting of our Constitution.

Dr B.R. Ambedkar aptly expressed the arduous task at hand during the Constituent Assembly debates, emphasising the need to unite our heterogeneous nation and forge a common path towards unity. 

The Objective Resolution, conceived by B.N. Rao in May 1947, laid the groundwork for this monumental endeavour. Throughout the assembly debates, the Preamble stood at the forefront, as it would define the essence and serve as the identity card of our Constitution. After extensive deliberations, the Preamble was officially adopted on November 26, 1949. 

Over time it evolved further with the explicit inclusion of the terms "socialist", "secular", and "integrity" in 1976. The Preamble stands as a testament to our democratic values, shaped by countless discussions and a collective pursuit of a united and inclusive India.

The Preamble may not be justiciable in the courts but no law can be enacted which is inconsistent with it, because in a plethora of judgments, including Kesavananda Bharati versus State of Kerala (1973 SC), it has been held that Preamble is part of the basic structure. 

This has made the Preamble a symbol of protest against democratic backsliding; and a deep democratic vocabulary of protest and dissent which seeks a restoration of democratic values and reminds the lawmakers that the philosophy of law in a democratic state is solus populi est suprema lex, meaning the welfare of the people is the paramount law.

What made the Karnataka government pass the resolution?

The very demand to uphold the promises enshrined in the Constitution became a cause for concern among right-wing forces, who found themselves taken aback when the resolute voices of protest echoed across India, from Shaheen Bagh and numerous other sites.

It was at this pivotal moment that the Preamble, under immense pressure, emerged as a powerful symbol of protest when it was read aloud. These protests were not orchestrated by political parties but were genuine expressions of outrage against a discriminatory Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019.

The incumbent felt the tremors of resistance and resorted to abuse of law to stifle the dissent. In a stark example, Dalit leader Chandra Shekhar Azad was unjustly booked for inciting violence during the anti-CAA protest, despite the sole incriminating evidence against him being his act of reciting the Preamble of the Constitution.

The left forces have been engaged in a relentless battle against the encroachment of Hindutva ideology in the realm of education. An incident that took place in November 2022 exemplifies this struggle. The University Grants Commission (UGC) proposed a special lecture series titled India: The Mother of Democracy to commemorate Constitution Day on November 26. 

However, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and the All-India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) promptly issued a statement, pointing out that the lecture series and its sub-themes were glorifying feudalistic ideologies, propagating anti-women sentiments, and promoting dictatorial regimes.

It was evident that the UGC's directives on Constitution Day were seemingly attempting to downplay the significance of celebrating the Constitution. 

The strength that the Preamble can foster was well comprehended in schools of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh under the Congress regime when reading the Preamble was made mandatory before the regimes were toppled.  

The Hindutva ideology has long favoured Manusmriti as an alternative to the constitutional framework. The presence of Hindutva proponents in positions of power has caused significant damage to the very fabric of the Constitution, as this ideology was never designed to accommodate the pluralistic nature of India.

The deep-seated romanticism of Hindutva with Nazism and fascism becomes evident when examining the thoughts of its pioneers. M.S. Golwalkar, in his book We or our Nationhood Defined expressed sympathy for the ethnic cleansing in Germany and Italy. 

Likewise, V.D. Savarkar considered Nazism and fascism as "the most congenial tonic" for Germany and Italy. These ideological inclinations highlight a disconcerting alignment between Hindutva and oppressive regimes of the past. 

Also read: Unravelling the Preamble to the Constitution

In India when the Constitution was adopted, the editorial in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) mouthpiece, Organizer, brazenly rejected the document for not incorporating the Manusmriti.

In an astonishing proclamation, the editorial expressed unwavering admiration for Manusmriti, claiming that its laws continue to inspire the world and evoke "spontaneous obedience and conformity".

This assertion sheds light on the profound influence of a text that champions hierarchical social order, raising concerns about its compatibility with modern democratic values. Dr B.R. Ambedkar remarked how the archaic law had influenced the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Who, in turn, inspired the Nazis. This ideological chain of influence found its way to the RSS in India.

The Preamble of the Indian Constitution, which was once hailed as a window into the legislators' intentions, has transformed into an indispensable aide-mémoire, reminding policymakers of their duty to uphold the principles enshrined within.

Conclusion

As we embark on the path of mandating the reading of the Preamble of the Constitution, it is essential to employ a crucial caveat— focusing on internalisation and prioritising comprehension over rote memorisation.

Merely reciting the words without understanding their essence falls short of the transformative power that lies within the Preamble. To equip the young generation with the ideas, we must delve into its inception, the struggles that birthed it, and the grand vision it encapsulates.

Only under such circumstances will the Preamble, like a prism, disperse the black letters of the law, illuminating the minds of our youth with its profound ideals.