Socialism in India means a welfare state where all are equal

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna said the idea of ‘socialism’ in India primarily meant a welfare state that provides equal opportunity for all and not a dictatorial dogma rammed down on citizens.

Heading a Bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar, the Chief Justice of India, reasoned that the concept of socialism in India did not negate private players’ participation or individualism.

The Supreme Court was hearing a batch of petitions, one of them by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, challenging the inclusion of the words ‘Socialist, Secular’ into the Preamble of the Constitution in 1976 with retrospective application.

The petitioners have questioned the validity of Section 2 of the Constitution 42nd Amendment Act of 1976, particularly the Preamble change.