Features of Indian Constitution

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, did not explicitly include the word “secularism” in the original text of the Constitution when it was adopted in 1950. However, the principles of secularism were embedded in the Constitution through various provisions.

Reasons for Not Including the Word “Secularism” Initially

1. Implicit Secularism: The Constitution already embodied secular principles. For instance, it guaranteed freedom of religion under Articles 25 to 28, prohibited discrimination on religious grounds under Articles 14 and 15, and abolished untouchability under Article 17.

2. Socio-political Context: The immediate post-independence period was a sensitive time for India, with the country recovering from partition-related violence and communal tensions. Explicitly stating “secularism” might have been seen as unnecessary or potentially divisive at that time.

3. Comprehensive Approach: The framers of the Constitution chose to embed the spirit of secularism throughout the document rather than through a single term. This was meant to ensure that secular values permeated the entire constitutional framework.

Addition of the Term in 1976

The term “secularism” was explicitly added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 during the Emergency period under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s government.

1. Political Context: The political environment of the mid-1970s, marked by the Emergency (1975-1977), saw significant constitutional and political changes. Adding the term “secularism” was part of a broader set of amendments aimed at emphasizing certain values and principles in the face of contemporary challenges.

2. Clarification of Values: By explicitly stating “secularism” in the Preamble, the government sought to clarify and reinforce the commitment of the Indian state to a secular ethos, ensuring that the separation of religion and state was clearly understood as a fundamental principle of governance.

3. Constitutional Clarity: The inclusion of the term helped in providing constitutional clarity and emphasis on the secular character of the Indian state, especially in a period when there were debates and discussions about the role of religion in politics.

Thus, while Dr. Ambedkar and the original framers chose to incorporate secular principles implicitly throughout the Constitution, the explicit addition of the term “secularism” in 1976 served to highlight and reaffirm these principles in a changing political and social landscape.