Gandhian features in Directive Principles!!! 🤔Hey guys, we have started the discussion of Part-IV of the Indian Constitution, Directive Principles of State Policy.
In the series of three posts, this is our second post related to DPSPs. So, here we will discuss the Socialist, Gandhian and Liberal principles enshrined in the DPSPs.
As we know, Article 36 defines the state as defined in the Part-III (Article 12) of the Indian Constitution. Also Article 37 states, DPSPs will not be enforceable by the court of law but will be the fundamental of the governing policies of the state.
So, in this post, we shall discuss article 38 to article 51 of the Indian Constitution.
Socialist, Gandhian and Liberal Principles
Though the Indian Constitution does not contain any classification of Directive Principles. But on the basis of their content and direction, they can be classified into three broad categories,
- Socialist,
- Gandhian and
- Liberal-intellectual.
Socialist Principles
There are certain principles that are very important for realizing the goals of social and economic democracy in India. So, these principles reflect the ideology of socialism.
They lay down the framework of a democratic socialist state and set the path towards the welfare state.
So, in particular, these principles aim at ensuring economic and social equality
The following are the articles associated with the Socialist philosophy.
Article 38
The state should ensure its people adequate means of livelihood. And promote the welfare of the people by securing social order. It also aims to minimise inequalities in income, status, facilities and opportunities.
Fundamental Rights mentioned in Article 16 of the Indian Constitution provides equal opportunity for work.
State comes with the social schemes like Below Poverty Line card, Ujjawala Yojana, Pradhanmantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Skill development programmes etc.
Article 39
The state should ensure fair distribution of the material resources of the country. This includes,
- For the common good,
- Prevention of concentration of wealth,
- Equal pay for equal work for men and women,
- Preservation of the health and strength of workers and children against forcible abuse.
Article 39A
The state should distribute the wealth in such a way that wealth is not concentrated in a few hands. This is the basic principle of philosophy called Socialism.
So, Socialist principles promote equal justice for everyone. This equal justice is implemented by providing free legal aid to the poor.
Article 41
The state has to secure the right to,
- Work,
- Education and
- Public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement.
The state is directed to take steps to impart compulsory and free education to the children up to the age of 14 years. This comes under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan Mission of Government of India.
Article 42
The state should make provisions for securing just and humane conditions of work for the workers and maternity relief for women.
Maternity leave in India is now for 6Months. The government also makes it possible to provide every possible employment facilities to the differently-abled people.
Article 43
The state has to secure a living wage, a decent standard of living and social and cultural opportunities for all workers.
Actually, it is the responsibility of the state to provide inclusive and conducive work environment at government jobs.
Article 43A
The state should try to secure the participation of workers in the management of the factory.
So, co-operative management should be encouraged.
Article 47
To raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of people and to improve public health.
For this government has various health-related schemes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Gandhian Principles
Gandhian thinking promotes a non-violent social order. Swaraj (Self-rule), Sarvodaya (welfare for all ) and Swavlamban (self-reliance) are the basic principles of Gandhian thought.
So, these principles represent the program of reconstruction enunciated by Gandhi during the national movement. The following Directive Principles, particularly, reflect Gandhian thought.
Article 40
The state shall take steps to organize the Village panchayats. These panchayats should be given such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government.
Article 43
The state shall try to promote cottage industries in rural areas.
Actually, Gandhi Ji was of the view of “Future of India lies in its Villages”. So, he did everything for the social and economic development of the villages.
Article 43B
The state shall promote,
- Voluntary formation,
- Autonomous functioning,
- Democratic control and
- Professional management of co-operative societies.
So, this is based on the Swavlamban or Self-Reliance Gandhian principle.
Article 46
The state shall promote the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the society and in particular the interests of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
So, this article is framed on the basis of Sarvodaya or Welfare of all principle.
Article 47
The state shall make efforts to prevent the consumption of alcoholic drinks and other harmful drugs.
Gujarat is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, so it is the Dry State.
Article 48
The state shall take steps to improve the quality of livestock and ban the slaughter of cows and calves, other milch and draught cattle.
Liberal–Intellectual Principles
The principles in this category represent the ideology of liberalism.
Article 44
The state shall aim at establishing a uniform civil code for all citizens throughout the country.
Article 45
Ths state shall provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years.
Article 48
The state shall organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines.
Article 48A
The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
So, this is to save wildlife and to ensure a thriving environment for nature.
Article 49
The state shall take steps for the maintenance and protection of the historical monuments, places or objects of national importance.
Article 50
The state shall take steps to separate the Judiciary from Executive.
Article 51
The state shall promote international peace and security and encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration, i.e. mutual agreement.
So, guys, this was all about the Socialist, Gandhian and Liberal Principles of DPSPs. In the upcoming post, we shall conclude our Part-IV of the Indian Constitution.
Thanks and Stay Civilised. 😊
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