Act of 1935, the present Constitution contains a chapter on Fundamental Rights. The present Constitution proclaims India to be a Sovereign Demo- cratic Republie, whereas system of government introduced by the Act of 1935 was autocratic. Unlike the Act of 1935, the new Constitution accepts the principle of Universal Adult Suffrage. The election under the 1935 Act was based on communal franchise and voters were divided on the basis of religious communities. The new Constitution abolishes the system of communal electorates altogether.
The Preamble :—The preamble of the Constitution proclaims India to be a Sovereign Democratic Republic and runs as follows :-
WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens,
JUSTICE, social, economic and political ;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and opportunity; and to promote among them all ;
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity of the Nation.
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do THEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE OUR- SELVES THIS CONSTITUTION."
The preamble is a declaration of the purposes and the underlying spirit of the Constitution. It is not an integral part of the Constitution but has great constitutional significance. The preamble indicates the source, sanction, pattern, the objectives and the contents of the constitution.
Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles : The Indian Consti- tution lays down a number of Fundamental Rights which are guaranteed to all citizens. Fundamental Rights are necessary for the proper develop- ment of personality.
The rights enjoyed by the individual are not absolute but only relative. These rights are limited by similar rights of others and by considerations of public or social good. But there are certain rights which have ever been regarded as fundamental to the existence of man. These rights are recog- nised by all democratic states and constitutional safeguards are provided for their enjoyment.
