It will have a multi-faceted approach to safeguarding a constitution against amendments that may undermine the basic rights. Some of the key strategies include: Constitutional Safeguards Rigid Constitution: The rigidity of a constitution can be enhanced by making amendments in the constitution by spRead more
It will have a multi-faceted approach to safeguarding a constitution against amendments that may undermine the basic rights. Some of the key strategies include:
Constitutional Safeguards
Rigid Constitution: The rigidity of a constitution can be enhanced by making amendments in the constitution by special majority or through a referendum. This makes it difficult to change fundamental rights.
Judicial Review: A strong and independent judiciary can review the constitutionality of laws and amendments, thus not violating the fundamental rights.
-Fundamental Rights: The constitution can be difficult to amend in a way that erodes fundamental rights if they are clearly defined and protected.
Public Awareness and Participation:
-Civic Education: Educating the public about the importance of fundamental rights and the role of the constitution in protecting them.
-Active Citizenry: Encouraging citizens to participate in public discourse and hold governments accountable for upholding constitutional values.
-Civil Society Organizations: Supporting civil society organizations that monitor government actions and advocate for human rights.
Institutional Mechanisms:
Independent Commissions: Setting up independent commissions to oversee the implementation of fundamental rights and investigate violations.
Parliamentary Committees: Strengthening parliamentary committees to scrutinize legislation and government policies that may affect fundamental rights.
Media Freedom: Protecting media freedom to ensure independent reporting and public scrutiny.
Combining these strategies can, therefore, be effective in protecting a constitution as well as taking care of fundamental rights from degradation to build a just and fair society.
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Article 368 of the Indian Constitution clearly states the powers of elected parliament to amend the constitution and amendment procedure. ARTICLE 368 (1) Notwithstanding anythinRead more
Article 368 of the Indian Constitution clearly states the powers of elected parliament to amend the constitution and amendment procedure.
ARTICLE 368 (1) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, Parliament may in exercise of its constituent power amend by way of addition, variation or repeal any provision of this Constitution in accordance with the procedure laid down in this article.
Since Independence, India has seen major parliamentary changes and constant amendment of the Constitution. Some historic amendments involve the 7th, 25th, the enraging 1975-38th and 39th , and most importantly the mini constitution, i.e the 42nd (whose provisions were mostly repealed by the 44th, brought by 1978 Janata Party) amendments. Let us look at the 73rd and 74th amendments of 1992.
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments was brought by the Indian National Congress (Prime Minister- P.V. Narasimha Rao).
73rd Amendment- The key changes involved the constitutional guarantee of Panchayati Raj in India. This provision provided rights, powers, status and legitimacy to the village-level self-governance in our country. For the same, schedule XI (11th schedule) and part IX- Articles 243; 243 A to 243 O were added.
74th Amendment- After the guarantee of Panchayati Raj, the 74th Amendment provided status to Municipality in India. This provision gave sanctity to block and city-level governance. It assigned powers and roles, along with limits to municipal governments. For the same, schedule XII (12th schedule) and part IX- A- Articles 243 P to 243 ZG were added.
These changes helped shape the Indian executive in the 21st century decades to follow. Thus, we see the significance of the 73rd and 74th amendments in Indian history.
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