Fundamental Duties | UPSC Notes

Fundamental Duties

Introduction

Moral & socio-civic duty that every R/S citizen should follow & practice. 

• 42nd CAA–Part IV A– Inspired from Russian Constitution
• Indian tradition of “kartavya”
• Their imp recog by SC in Re Ramlila Maidan Incident case & AIIMS Students Union Vs AIIMS

Commentaries— Rights & Duties Go Hand in Hand—

• Gandhi—“Rights are inherent in ‘Embroyinic sense’ in the duties performed.
• Laski—One man’s right is also his duty.
• UDHR (Art 29)— “Everyone has duties to community in which alone free & full dev of his personality is possible.”
• Venkaih Naidu—FRs are critically dependent on discharge of FDs since both flow from each other.  

Importance & Present Relevance of FDs

• FDs–>“Responsible Citizenship”–>Democratic Deepening–Democratic consciousness of vigilant citizenery determine the calibre of any democracy.
• Will propel India’s dev trajectory
• FRs–strengthens Democracy, FDs– Imp to strengthen society—Harmony, unity, fraternity & Tolerance
  1. Art 51A(e)—To forge common brotherhood
  2. Art 51A(g)—To protect & improve env—But severe pollution & CC in India
  3. Art 51A(h)—Scientific temper, secular attitude—But social prejudices, growing intolerance
• Preserve composite culture  
• Prez Kovind— Crimes against women is the menifestation of our failure of fulfilling FDs.  
• In M.C. Mehta vs UoI— SC introduced compulsory learning of lessons on protection & improvement of env in all edu inst as a part of FD under Art 51-A (g).

Way forward

• Promote culture of duty & a “duty-bound lifestyle” by Introducing FDs in curriculum & new KYC of Modi
• Venkaih Naidu— “Let us perform our duty to make India mighty” 
• Jus Kurien Joseph–FDs constitute the conscience of our Constitution; they should be treated as constitutional values that must be propagated by all citizens.