Fundamental Duties

The Fundamental Duties prescribed in the Part IV A of the Constitution were added via the 42nd Amendment Act after the Sardar Swaran Singh Committee recommended the same. It draws inspiration from the constitution of the erstwhile USSR. A total of 10 Fundamental Duties were added, and an additional duty was later added in 2002, taking it to a total of 11 Fundamental Duties.

List of Fundamental Duties

1. To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem
2. To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India
3. To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom
4. To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so
5. To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture
6. To protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures
7. To safeguard public property and to abjure violence
8. To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women
9. To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform
10. To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement

Features

• Moral and Civic duties – Some of the Fundamental Duties are moral, such as cherishing the noble ideals of freedom struggle, while others are civic, such as respecting the national flag and national anthem
• Only citizens – The Fundamental Duties apply only to citizens of India and not to foreigners, unlike certain Fundamental Rights
• The Indian way of life – Fundamental Duties have codified values part of Indian society and culture
• Non-justiciable – The Constitution does not provide for the direct enforcement of Fundamental Duties, nor is there a legal sanction for their violation

Significance

• Fundamental Duties act as a deterrent to anti-national activities such as disrespecting the national flag or desecrating national monuments
• Remind citizens that while they enjoy a wide variety of rights, they must be conscious of their duties to the country
• It calls upon the active participation of people in helping to achieve the goals of the nation at large
• Parliament can enforce laws providing penalties for the violation of any Fundamental Duties
• Fundamental Duties have helped courts in determining the constitutional validity of laws

Criticism

• Vague – The duties prescribed use vague and ambiguous terms and can be interpreted in many ways. It is hard to communicate the same to the common man
• An appendage to Part IV of the constitution – Many have argued that attaching the Fundamental Duties after Directive Principles of State Policy have reduced its value. They must have been included after Part III, which prescribes Fundamental Rights, to hold them at par
• Non-justiciable – Critics point out that Fundamental Duties are merely a moral code, owing to its non-justiciable character
• Leaves important duties out – Duties such as paying taxes, family planning, voting etc., were not included in Article 51A

Conclusion

The Fundamental Duties were brought in during the period of Emergency via the 42nd Amendment Act and were initially opposed by many. But have been retained and even developed by later governments. They are an important reminder to the citizens of the duties they owe their country and serve as a source of inspiration.