Fundamental Duties - Concept, Significance & Relation


Source - Bit landers

Whenever it comes down to power, prestige and rights, one jumps at these marvelous ideas, but seldom does one get excited about the duties that one needs to perform in order to serve the interests of their country, community or society. 

It is very rightly quotes that rights and duties go hand in hand, but everyone wants to enjoy the rights without fulfilling these duties which makes us no better than our corrupt politicians, who only strive for wealth and fame without doing their bit of contributing effectively to society.  

As our constitution promise us certain rights, power which we commonly know as fundamental right, similarly, our constitution also expect us to perform certain duties which are called fundamental duties. 

Though the rights and duties of the citizens are correlative and inseparable , the original constitution contained only the fundamental rights and not the fundamental duties. However , they incorporated the duties of the state in the constitution in the form of directive principle of state policy. 

Later in 1976, the fundamental duties of citizen were added in the constitution in the constitution. In 2002 , one more fundamental duty was added. The fundamental duties in the Indian constitution are inspired by the constitution of erstwhile USSR. Notably , none of the constitution of major democratic countries like USA, Canada , France, Germany, Australia and so on specifically contain a list of duties of citizens.

Japanese constitution is perhaps, the only democratic constitution in the world which contains a list of duties for the citizens to perform. 

In 1976 , the congress party set up the Sardar Swarna Singh committee to make recommendations about fundamental duties, the need and necessity of which was felt during the operation of the internal emergency (1975-1977) . 

The committee recommended the inclusion of of a separate chapter on fundamental duties in the constitution. Th congress government at center accepted these recommendations and enacted the 42nd constitutional amendment act in 1976.

List of fundamental duties 

1. Abide by the Constitution and respect National Flag & National Anthem. 

2. Follow ideals of the freedom struggle

3. Protect sovereignty & integrity of India

4. Defend the country and render national services when called upon

5. Sprit of common brotherhood

6. Preserve composite culture

7. Preserve natural environment

8.  Develop scientific temper

9. Safeguard public property

10.  Strive for excellence

11. Duty of all parents/guardians to send their children in the age group of 6-14 years to school.

Fundamental duties are considered as a significant as they serve as a reminder to the citizen that while enjoying their rights, they should also be conscious of duties they owe to their country and their society. 

Fundamental duties also create a feeling amongst citizens, that are not only the spectators but active participants in the realization of national goals

Written By - Shivam Jha 

Edited By - Tushna Choksey

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