The term "Mini Constitution" is often used to refer to the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 in India. Here are some key points:
1. Enactment: The 42nd Amendment was enacted during the Emergency era in India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
2. Extensive Changes: It is labeled as the "Mini Constitution" due to the extensive modifications it made to various parts of the Indian Constitution.
3. Fundamental Rights: The amendment significantly amended the provisions related to Fundamental Rights, restricting their scope and diluting their enforceability during emergencies.
4. Directive Principles: It strengthened the Directive Principles of State Policy and introduced socio-economic rights as part of the DPSP.
5. Preamble Changes: The Preamble of the Constitution was amended to include the term "Socialist," "Secular," and "Integrity."
6. Emergency Provisions: The amendment expanded the powers of the President during a state of Emergency, giving the government more authority.
7. Judicial Review: It imposed restrictions on the power of the judiciary to review constitutional amendments, limiting the scope of judicial intervention.
8. Election Commission: The amendment provided for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners by the President, ensuring their independence.
While the 42nd Amendment brought significant changes, some of its provisions were later revised by subsequent amendments, bringing a balance to the constitutional framework.
