Is India's Constitution Misused & Abused by Elected Representatives?

The preamble of Indian Constitution states, "WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:

"JUSTICE, social, economic and political;

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the 2 [unity and integrity of the Nation];

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION."

In his speech at the close of the Constituent Assembly, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar said: -

"If we wish to maintain democracy not merely in form, but also in fact, what must we do? Their first thing in my judgment we must do is to hold fast to constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic objectives. It means that we must abandon the bloody methods of revolution. It means that we must abandon the method of civil disobedience, non-cooperation and satyagraha. When there was no way left for constitutional methods for achieving economic and social objectives, there was a great deal of justification for unconstitutional methods. But where constitutional methods are open, there can be no justification for these unconstitutional methods. These methods are nothing, but the Grammar of Anarchy and the sooner they are abandoned, the better for us".

When we look at the functioning of democracy,we aslaw abiding citizens are apprehensiveand frightenedabout the future outcome of our democracy as Ambedkar narrated it above. The pertinent question being raised is whether our democracy is being abused and misused by the elected representatives through unconstitutional methods to usurp power by perpetuation of anarchy to gain power forthe partyto which they belong and personal benefits at the cost national integrity and sovereignty. The raging fear is whether history will be repeated and subjugated again.

Every politician including independents, belonging toevery political party clamour for their fundamental rights of justice, liberty and fraternity enshrined in the Constitution. But they conveniently forget the fact that every right is derived out of a duty first to be performed as enshrined in Article 51-A of PART IV -A underFUNDAMENTAL DUTIES.

Have we seen any of the parties who scream and shout to uphold their fundamental rights and constitutional rights ever bother to raise slogans or to agitate for the strict implementation Article 51-A under Fundamental Duties? No and not at all.

In this connection all political parties who consider Dr. Ambedkar as the architect of our constitution whom each and every party extol the wisdom and exhortations of Ambedkar without even understanding the inherent virtues of our constitution and its preservation and by abandoning the principles enshrined under Article 51-A of the constitution, merely give lip service to Ambedkar and eulogiseshim for their selfish advantage. Do they remember what Dr. Ambedkar said in his closing remarks in the Constitution Assembly? It was his apprehension about the future of our Constitutionwhich he expressed, considering the practical realities of the divided Bharat. This message is directed towards the legislatures and parliamentarians and also for the voting citizens.

Dr. Ambedkar said, "Will history repeat itself? It is this thought which fills me with anxiety. This anxiety is deepened by the realization of the fact that in addition to our old enemies in the form of castes and creeds we are going to have many political parties with diverse and opposing political creeds. Will Indians place the country above their creed or will they place creed above country? I do not know. But this must be certain that if the parties place creed above country, our independence will be put in jeopardy a second time and probably be lost for ever. This eventuality we must all resolutely guard against. We must be determined to defend our independence with the last drop of our blood.".

Will theapprehension expressed by Dr. Ambedkar beproved to be correct? Can the citizens hope that the politicians abandontheir destructive activities,understand their duties and responsibilities, to introduce good governance placing national interest casting away their nefarious and vested interests and work united and in unison to protect the interest and sovereignty of the nation?

OUR DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY AS TRUE AND HONEST CITIZENS OF INDIA THAT IS BHARAT,IS TO FIGHT AGAINST THE NEFARIOUS AND DESTRUTIVE ACTIVITIES TO PROTECT NATIONAL INTEREST AND SOVEREIGNTY OF THE NATION. LET US FOLLOW THE CLARION CALL OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA "ARISE, AWAKE AND STOP NOT TILL THE GOAL IS REACHED".