DNA Edit: We, the people – What happened to the fundamental duties of a citizen?

The Preamble to the Constitution of India begins thus: “We, the People of India having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic...” and goes on to describe the guiding purpose, principles, and philosophy of the book upon which a robust democracy thrives. Today, the country celebrates the 70th anniversary of the occasion when most of the articles in the holy book came into force in 1950. The founding fathers of the Constitution purported to create an India that celebrates justice, liberty, equality, fraternity while maintaining its pluralism. That was the only way India — a mindboggling array of diversities — could have been prevented from splintering into a thousand pieces. 

By being a Republic, the people are vested with the supreme authority of electing their representatives who will govern the country. It is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. With such great power comes great responsibilities, and the citizens cannot shirk their moral obligation to the country. It’s worth recalling what Dr BR Ambedkar said in his last speech at the Constituent Assembly: “I am of the opinion that in believing that we are a nation, we are cherishing a great delusion. How can people divided into several thousands of castes be a nation? The sooner we realise that we are not as yet a nation in the social and psychological sense of the world, the better for us. For then only we shall realise the necessity of becoming a nation and seriously think of ways and means of realising the goal.” 

Ambedkar had issued other caveats as well — Without equality, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many. Without fraternity, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many. At every step, Ambedkar is putting the onus on the people to act as a collective vanguard, because “this independence has thrown on us great responsibilities”. While some of us are prickly about our rights and privileges, and a vast majority of others either ignorant or indifferent about them, we, as a people, rarely take any interest in our duties as a citizen. Part [IV-A] of the Constitution lists the fundamental duties of every citizen, and the section is pretty exhaustive. Interestingly, a majority of them are more honoured in the breach than in the observance. 

Ask a citizen of India how he has executed his duty in preserving the rich heritage of our composite culture, and protecting and improving the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures? Or what has been her contribution in developing the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform? How has she worked towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement? A great nation doesn’t sit on the laurels of its past achievements. It constantly strives to improve the benchmark of excellence in human endeavour for the greater good of mankind. On Republic Day, let us remind ourselves what we owe to this great country.