Foundational values, the journey of the Indian state
Overview:
The editorial, Foundational Values, The Journey of the Indian State, discusses India’s need to preserve its foundational values under the Indian Constitution over the past 75 years. It also highlights the challenges, such as federalism, social inequality, and debates around revamping the Constitution, and calls for guardianship to safeguard India’s democratic principles.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Polity and Governance)
Dimensions of the Article:
- Federalism and Its Evolution
- Social Democracy
- Constitution as the Foundation of India
Federalism and Its Evolution
- India’s federalism has been a focal point of constitutional debates for decades.
- Although the term “federal” is absent from the Constitution, federalism remains central to India’s governance.
- Recent challenges with federalism:
- Disputes between state governors and governments.
- Fiscal federalism concerns the dual system of the Finance Commission and GST Act.
- Debate over simultaneous elections.
- Potential tensions in the next delimitation exercise affecting union-state dynamics.
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar clarified that the Centre and States are co-equal, with overriding Union powers limited to emergencies.
- Judicial reinforcement of federalism as part of the Constitution’s basic structure (e.g., S.R. Bommai vs. Union of India, 1994; NCT of Delhi vs. Union of India, 2024).
Social Democracy
- India’s democratic foundations rest on liberty, equality, and fraternity, but progress remains uneven.
- Persistent challenges:
- Use of sedition laws and stringent acts like UAPA and PMLA suggest authoritarian tendencies.
- Social and economic inequalities continue to threaten democratic ideals.
- Dr. Ambedkar warned against the dangers of caste divisions, calling for fraternity as a unifying force.
- Despite advancements, caste remains a major determinant of success and opportunity in Indian society.
Constitution as the Foundation of India
- The Constitution is the cornerstone of India’s democracy and nation-building efforts.
- Recent proposals to replace it with an “Indic” framework rooted in Hindu dharmic principles undermine its legacy.
- Dr. Ambedkar emphasised defending democratic principles and preserving the Constitution as a guiding document.
- The need of the hour:
- Guardians of the Constitution across domains—judges, bureaucrats, activists, and citizens.
- A collective commitment to prioritise national interests over individual or sectarian gains.
Conclusion
- The 75-year journey of the Constitution highlights India’s resilience. However, challenges have arisen in federalism, social equality, and constitutional integrity. It is important to keep Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of prioritising unity and fraternity as a vital element for the nation’s future.
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