Which amendment has been the most controversial till date?
The amendment process in the Indian Constitution is quite flexible compared to the rigid system in the United States and the more fluid approach in the United Kingdom. India: The Indian Constitution can be amended through a special majority in Parliament, with some amendments requiring ratificationRead more
The amendment process in the Indian Constitution is quite flexible compared to the rigid system in the United States and the more fluid approach in the United Kingdom.
India: The Indian Constitution can be amended through a special majority in Parliament, with some amendments requiring ratification by at least half of the state legislatures. This allows for relatively easier changes while ensuring broad consensus.
United States: The U.S. Constitution has a very rigid amendment process. An amendment requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures. This high threshold makes amendments rare and difficult to achieve.
United Kingdom: The UK has no formal written constitution, so its laws and principles can be amended more flexibly. Changes can be made through simple Acts of Parliament, reflecting the UK’s reliance on parliamentary sovereignty and the evolving nature of its legal framework.
In summary, India strikes a balance with a process that is neither as stringent as the U.S. nor as flexible as the UK, allowing for adaptability while maintaining stability.
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The 42nd Amendment of the Indian Constitution is possibly the most disputed. This is why: Passed during Emergency: Seen as an effort to concentrate power in the ruling party's grasp, it was legislated in 1976 throughout the Emergency period declared by Indira Gandhi. Restricted in legal powers: theRead more
The 42nd Amendment of the Indian Constitution is possibly the most disputed.
This is why:
Passed during Emergency: Seen as an effort to concentrate power in the ruling party’s grasp, it was legislated in 1976 throughout the Emergency period declared by Indira Gandhi.
Restricted in legal powers: the amendment severely limited the powers of the judiciary—particularly those of the Supreme Court—not to review and thus invalidate the laws passed by Parliament.
Having vested power in the center changed the balance of power from that of the states to the center, therefore weakening India’s federal system structure.
The amendment limited the range of the fundamental rights, especially regarding the right to property.
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