Fri Nov 22 09:37:46 UTC 2024: ## Supreme Court Defends “Socialism” in Indian Constitution
**NEW DELHI, November 22, 2024** – The Chief Justice of India (CJI), Sanjiv Khanna, ruled on Friday that the term “socialism” in the Indian Constitution signifies a welfare state ensuring equal opportunity, not a dictatorial imposition. The statement came during a hearing on petitions challenging the 1976 inclusion of “socialist” and “secular” in the Preamble.
The petitioners, including BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, argued that the addition was invalid, imposed a specific economic theory without proper ratification, and amounted to a “fraud on the Constitution.” One petitioner contended that the concept of socialism shouldn’t override other ideologies.
CJI Khanna countered that socialism, as envisioned in the Indian context, does not preclude private sector participation or individualism and is reflected in various constitutional articles. He further asserted that both “socialism” and “secularism” are integral to the Constitution’s basic structure. The court also clarified that the Preamble, while adopted on November 26, 1949, is amendable under Article 368 to further the Constitution’s welfare goals.
The CJI’s previous statements affirming secularism as a core constitutional principle were reiterated. The court reserved its judgment until Monday, November 25, 2024.
First Piper 