Constitutional Symbolism and Substantive Transformation: The 42nd Amendment and the Insertion of “Socialist” and “Secular” into the Indian Preamble Introduction The insertion of the terms “Socialist” and “Secular” into the Preamble of the Constitution of India by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 represents one of the most contested moments in India’s constitutional history. Enacted … Continue reading Analyse the insertion of the terms “Socialist” and “Secular” into the Preamble as an exercise in constitutional symbolism versus substantive transformation. How does the experience of the 42nd Amendment compare with constitutional amendments enacted under emergency regimes in other democracies?