The Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution are
inspired by the Constitution of the USSR. One cannot ignore the fact that, none of
the Constitutions of major democratic countries like the USA, France,
Canada, Australia, Germany, and so on specifically contain a list of duties of citizens. Other than India Japanese is the only democratic The constitution contains a list of duties of citizens.
In 1976, the Congress Party set up the Sardar Swaran Singh Committee to make recommendations about fundamental duties, the need, and necessity of which was felt during the operation of the internal emergency (1975–1977). Though the Swaran Singh The committee suggested the incorporation of eight Fundamental Duties in the Constitution, the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1976) included ten Fundamental Duties.
LIST OF FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES
According to Article 51A, it shall be the duty of
every citizen of
India:
(a) To abide by the Constitution and respect its
ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;
(b) To cherish and follow the noble ideals that
inspired the national struggle for freedom;
(c) To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and
integrity of India;
(d) To defend the country and render national service
when called upon to do so;
(e) To promote harmony and the spirit of common
brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic
and regional or sectional diversities and to renounce practices derogatory to
the dignity of women;
(f) To value and preserve the rich heritage of the
country’s composite culture;
(g) To protect and improve the natural environment
including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living
creatures;
(h) To develop scientific temper, humanism and the
spirit of inquiry and reform;
(I) to safeguard public property and to abjure
violence;
(j) To strive towards excellence in all spheres of
individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to
higher levels of endeavor and achievement; and
(k) To provide opportunities for education to his
child or ward between the age of six and fourteen years. This duty was added by
the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002.
These
are the fundamental duties that work as a reminder to the citizens that while
enjoying their rights, they should also be conscious of duties they owe to
their country, their society and to their fellow citizens.
