On Constitution Day, the Prime Minister called upon citizens to uphold their fundamental duties and actively contribute to strengthening India’s democratic framework.
Constitutional Status of Fundamental Duties
- Constitutional Provision: Enshrined in Article 51A (Part IVA), inserted by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
- Committee Recommendation: Recommended by the Swaran Singh Committee (1976).
- Amendments: Originally 10 duties. 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002 added the 11th duty.
- Purpose: To outline the moral obligations of citizens and promote patriotism, unity, and integrity of the nation.
- Nature: Non-justiciable in nature, as courts cannot enforce them, but they remain essential for governance and citizen responsibility.
Relationship between Rights and Duties
- Complementary Nature: Rights and duties are complementary and interdependent, as one cannot be meaningfully exercised without the fulfilment of the other.
- Balance in Democracy: Duties ensure that the enjoyment of individual rights does not violate the rights of others or harm societal harmony.
- Moral Linkage: Duties foster discipline, respect for institutions, and constitutional values, thereby reinforcing the ethical framework within which rights are exercised.
- Sustainable Rights: Rights remain meaningful only when citizens fulfil their duties; duties provide the foundation for the long-term sustenance of rights.
Philosophers Supporting a Duty-Centric Ethical Framework
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