FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES

FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES

TOPIC: Polity

Context- The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and states in a writ petition filed by advocate Durga Dutt seeking the enforcement of the fundamental duties of citizens as enshrined in the Constitution of India.

Concept-

• The fundamental duties were incorporated in Part IV-A of the Constitution by The Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976 on the recommendation of Swaran Singh committee.
• Article 51(A) describes 11 fundamental duties — 10 came with the 42nd Amendment; the 11th was added by the 86th Amendment in 2002.
• These duties are not enforceable by law.
  • However, a court may take them into account while adjudicating on a matter.
• The Russian Constitution has the concept of fundamental duties.
• Article 51(A) says it shall be the duty of every citizen of India:
  • (a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;
  • (b) to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
  • (c) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
  • (d) to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
  • (e) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;
  • (f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
  • (g) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;
  • (h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
  • (i) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
  • (j) to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement;
  • (k) who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years.