RAS question
The concept of 'liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship' in the Preamble is given effect through:
Correct answer: (A) Fundamental Rights under Articles 19, 25-28.
The Preamble's promise of liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship is given effect through the Fundamental Rights in Article 19(1)(a) and Articles 25-28 of the Constitution of India.
Explanation
The Preamble secures liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship for citizens. In Part III, the Constitution gives this promise an enforceable rights form. Article 19(1)(a) says all citizens have the right to freedom of speech and expression, which covers the expression limb of that liberty. Articles 25-28 sit under the Right to Freedom of Religion: Article 25 protects freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practise and propagate religion, while Articles 26-28 deal with religious affairs, religious taxation, and religious instruction or worship in certain educational institutions. That is why the correct route is Fundamental Rights under Article 19 and Articles 25-28, not a separate constitutional part or schedule.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Part XVIII is titled Emergency Provisions in the Constitution, so it is not the part that gives effect to the Preamble's listed liberties.
- (C) The Tenth Schedule is described as provisions on disqualification on the ground of defection, not as the source of speech, belief, faith or worship liberties.
- (D) Part IV contains the Directive Principles of State Policy, and Article 37 says those principles are not enforceable by any court, unlike the Fundamental Rights cited in the explanation.
Concept
This tests the link between Preamble values and enforceable Fundamental Rights. It recurs in RAS because polity questions often ask candidates to connect constitutional ideals with the Articles that operationalise them.