Socialism in India means a welfare state where all are equal: CJI Sanjiv Khanna

CJI Sanjiv Khanna clarifies that socialism in India means welfare state, not dictatorial dogma, during Supreme Court hearing.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna on Friday (November 21, 2024) said the idea of ‘socialism’ in India primarily meant a welfare state which provides equality of 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 the participation of private players or negate individualism.

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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 has challenged the validity of Section 2 of the Constitution 42nd Amendment Act of 1976, and particularly the change in Preamble.

One of the petitioners argued that the dogma of socialism cannot prevail over other ideas, and it was wrong to force upon the nation one particular economic theory to achieve economic development.

“Socialism here means a welfare state where there should be equality of opportunity for all . It has never prevented the private sector from thriving here. We have all benefited from the private sector… The idea of socialism runs through many Articles of the Constitution,” Chief Justice Khanna responded.

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