- The concept of “constitutional morality” and the inventory of citizens’ fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution are fast becoming casualties after the recent amendment in Citizenship Act.
- The Supreme Court has spoken of the state’s obligation to always keep constitutional morality over and above “majoritarian morality”.
- Majoritarian morality is being conspicuously given precedence over constitutional morality.
- State dignitaries are as much bound by each of the citizens’ fundamental duties proclaimed by the Constitution as any ordinary member of the citizenry.
- All fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution are to be diligently discharged, as citizens, first of all by those holding the reigns of the country who are citizens first and citizens last.
Resulting from the government’s controversial moves on a new citizenship law and the dreaded NRC, the social unrest pervading the length and breadth of the country has in recent days reached alarming proportions. The concept of “constitutional morality” developed by the apex court and the inventory of citizens’ fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution both are fast becoming casualties.
On last year’s Constitution Day celebrated with great fervor, great emphasis had aptly been laid on constitutional morality by the Head of State and on reciprocity between citizens’ rights and duties by the Head of Government. But are these meant only for sermonizing by the leaders on ceremonial occasions, with no efforts worth the name in sight to translate them into ground reality?