“Though constitution has been amended 125 times in last 75 years but it has withstood the tests of democracy even in the critical times”.
Constitution is the soul of democracy and celebrations on its 75th anniversary in a country where Democracy has thrived for decades together remind both the people and as well as the parliamentarian and the legislators of their responsibilities for safeguarding the very constitution which was adopted for firming up the democracy in the country. Constitution withstanding the challenges of democracy during last 75 years is in itself a great achievement. Emergency once imposed could not last long as such the strength of democracy was established beyond doubt in this country. Though constitution has been amended 125 times in last 75 years but it has withstood the tests of democracy even in the critical times. Notably on the 75 anniversary of the constitution the top court of the country dismissed some petitions challenging the “inclusion of words “ secular” and “ socialist” obviously to reassure the people of this country about its commitment to safeguard the constitution and reject the scope for re-defining the constitution at any time in future. Since the words “secular” and “socialist” adopted through 42nd amendment Act of 1976 Act have largely contributed to the growth of free society in this Country, the Supreme court of India by dismissing petitions challenging the inclusion of words “secular” and “socialist” in the constitution has shown its respect for the wishes and aspirations of the millions of people in the world’s biggest democracy. In fact the secularism and pluralism are the two basic features of diversity endorsed by the Supreme Court in its judgment on petitions that were filed to challenge the inclusion of the words “secular” and “socialist” in the constitution. Having established a unique democratic identity during last 75 years the democratic institutions drawing strength from the constitution are undoubtedly strong enough to fully defend and safeguard the constitutional rights of the millions of people irrespective of their regional and religious affiliations.
“While the parliament and State/UT assemblies reserve the right to amend the constitution but it is also a fact that parliamentarians and legislators don’t have an absolute right to change the basic structure of the constitution or to amend constitutional provisions related to fundamental rights of the people. Greatly satisfying it is for the millions of this country that parliamentarians and legislators of this country amid a self speaking judgment from the Supreme Court of the country against exclusion of words “Secular” and “Socialist” have celebrated 75th year of the constitution with great enthusiasm across the country.”
As the fact remains that law making is the job of parliament and State/UT assemblies, the parliamentarians and legislators in this country have to be reminded that they are accountable for their actions having directly or indirect bearing on the basic structure of the constitution. While the parliament and State/UT assemblies reserve the right to amend the constitution but it is also a fact that parliamentarians and legislators don’t have an absolute right to change the basic structure of the constitution or to amend constitutional provisions related to fundamental rights of the people. Greatly satisfying it is for the millions of this country that parliamentarians and legislators of this country amid a self speaking judgment from the Supreme Court of the country against exclusion of words “Secular” and “Socialist” have celebrated 75th year of the constitution with great enthusiasm across the country.
