Minerva Mills Case

The Supreme Court judgment that clarified that the Preamble is not a source of power to the government but a key to understanding the Constitution's objectives is the Minerva Mills Case.

Background:
The Minerva Mills Case, officially known as Minerva Mills Ltd. and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors., was a landmark case in Indian constitutional law. It was decided by a bench of seven judges of the Supreme Court of India on May 21, 1980. The case involved a challenge to certain provisions of the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, which had made significant changes to the Constitution of India.

Key Arguments:
The petitioners argued that the 42nd Amendment Act violated the basic structure doctrine as established in the previous landmark case of Keshavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala. They contended that the amendment had, among other things, infringed upon the fundamental rights of citizens and undermined the independence of the judiciary.

Supreme Court's Decision:
The Supreme Court, in its judgment, struck down several provisions of the 42nd Amendment Act, including those that sought to curtail the power of judicial review and dilute fundamental rights. The Court reaffirmed the basic structure doctrine and held that the amending power of Parliament is not absolute and must be exercised within the limits set by the Constitution.

Preamble as a Key to Understanding Objectives:
In its judgment, the Supreme Court clarified the nature and significance of the Preamble to the Constitution. The Court held that the Preamble is not a source of power to the government but a key to understanding the Constitution's objectives. It emphasized that the Preamble is an integral part of the Constitution and provides the basic structure and foundation for the interpretation of the Constitution.

The Court further stated that the Preamble reflects the resolve and aspirations of the people of India and serves as a guiding light for the interpretation of the Constitution. It emphasized that the Preamble's objectives, such as justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, must inform and guide the interpretation of the Constitution and the exercise of governmental power.

Conclusion:
The Minerva Mills Case clarified the significance of the Preamble to the Constitution and its role in guiding the interpretation of the Constitution. It established that the Preamble is not a source of power to the government but a key to understanding the Constitution's objectives. This judgment reaffirmed the importance of the Preamble as a guiding principle for governance and the protection of fundamental rights in India.