The supremacy of India’s Constitution is the foundation of our democracy

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. This year, India celebrates the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India. It is an occasion to reflect on its importance and role in the evolution of Indian democracy.

Seventy-five years of constitutional democracy has had its share of challenges, but the fact that we have been able to commit ourselves to the principles of democratic governance owes a lot to the supremacy of the Constitution. Unlike other democracies, including the UK’s where Parliament is supreme, in India, it is well recognized that the Constitution is supreme. This is also an interesting way of accepting that the people are supreme, on whose behalf it was written, affirming their rights and freedoms, and distributing powers among various wings of government.

The idea of the supremacy of the Constitution has three key principles: The Constitution is for the People, by the People and of the People: The first five words of the Constitution are, “We, the people of India…." These words of the Preamble recognize the centrality of people in the constitution-making process. It also introduced the concept of enlightened citizenship and responsibility taken by people for nation building. The rest of the Preamble’s first sentence reads: “… having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic and to secure to all its citizens …" The framers of the Constitution were mindful of the fact that they were laying the foundation for fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the people of a modern nation.