Fundamental Duty to Promote Harmony

Article 51A(e) imposes a Fundamental Duty on every citizen to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood among all Indians, transcending religious, linguistic, regional and sectional differences. It also requires citizens to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.

Content and scope of the duty

The provision seeks to strengthen fraternity by requiring citizens to rise above narrower group identities and recognise a shared civic bond.

• Citizens must actively promote harmony and common brotherhood, rather than merely refrain from causing social conflict.
• The duty covers religious, linguistic, regional and sectional diversities, making it relevant to both speech and conduct in public life.
• Its second limb connects social harmony with gender justice by requiring rejection of practices that diminish the dignity of women.

Constitutional position

Article 51A(e) forms part of Part IVA of the Constitution. Fundamental Duties were inserted by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, substantially on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee.

• The duty applies specifically to citizens, unlike certain Fundamental Rights that are available to all persons.
• Fundamental Duties are not directly enforceable through constitutional remedies, but legislatures may enact laws that give effect to their objectives.
• Courts may use Fundamental Duties as interpretive aids when examining laws and constitutional values.

Relationship with fraternity and free speech

The duty gives civic expression to the Preamble's ideal of fraternity, which seeks to assure individual dignity and national unity and integrity. It encourages responsible exercise of freedom of speech, while enforceable restrictions on speech must still satisfy Article 19(2) and operate through law.

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