Fundamental duties Article 51-A

Fundamental duties article 51-A

Introduction -

           As fundamental rights are necessary for individual to develop their personality, it is also necessary that they should discharge their obligations towards their fellow-citizens and the motherland. Here only fundamental rights would not make them good citizens. Normally fundamental rights imply also fundamental duties. They are two sides of the same coin. But very few people realize this and therefore, it has become necessary to make people aware the same.

          42nd amendment to the constitution to make special provision laying down fundamental duties for citizens of India. These duties have been specified under new article 51A, introduced in the constitution under the above-mentioned amendment.

Important fundamental duties article 51-A, Lays down that -"it shall be the duty of the citizen of India.

1) To abide by the constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the national flag and national anthem;

2) To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our  National struggle for freedom;

3) To uphold and protect our Unity, integrity of India;

4) To defend  the country and render national service when called upon to do so ;

5) To promote harmony and spirit of common Brotherhood among the people of India transcending religious, linguistic , and regional or sectional diversities, to renounce practices derogatory of the dignity of women;

6) To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.

7) To protect and  improve the natural environment including forests, Lakes Rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creature.

8) To develop the scientific temper, in humanism and the spirit of enquiry and reform

9) To safeguard public property and to abjure  violence;

10) To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor and achievements . 

Nature of the fundamental duties-

               The fundamental duties, which have been incorporated in the constitution, as mentioned above, are based upon the Recommendation of the Swaran Singh committee. In this connection it may be pointed out that a similar provision is made in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and similar provision made in the constitutions of Japan China and USSR also. 

          Though the fundamental duties have been incorporated in the Indian Constitution there is no provision for the enforcement to it.  Swaran Singh committee had suggested providing for punishment for breach of fundamental duties. But actually no provision has been made for the same while incorporating the duties in the constitution of India.