Day 57 – Q 1.How does the Indian Constitution act as a source of ethical guidance? Explain with the help of suitable examples.

1. How does the Indian Constitution act as a source of ethical guidance? Explain with the help of suitable examples. 

भारतीय संविधान नैतिक मार्गदर्शन के स्रोत के रूप में कैसे कार्य करता है? उपयुक्त उदाहरणों की सहायता से समझाएँ।

Introduction:

Indian constitution is the supreme law of land. It is the lengthiest written constitution in the world and acts as source of ethical guidance to citizens, policy makers and various other stakeholders.

Body

The constitution act as a source of ethical guidance through its sources such as Basic Text of the Constitution, Constituent Assembly debates, Freedom struggle, and Case Law Histories etc., They are

• Values:
  The constitution of India is liberating in nature and it has incorporated our historic values, societal ethics and guided the customary morality to suit the modern times.

• Rule of law (Article 14)
• Equality (Article 18), eradication of social evils like untouchability (Article 17)
• Intolerance for corruption- Constitutional Bodies such as CAG, ECI etc.,

Virtue ethics:

• As per virtue ethicis, justice is fundamental for maintaining order of society. Justice is the first value mentioned in the preamble of the constitution. All form of justice – social, economic, political have been mentioned. This implicitly inspires for ‘distributive justice’.

Compassion:

• Constitution preaches equality, fraternity, compassion for weak and vulnerable through affirmative action. (Eg. Articles 15 &16)

Duty Based ethics:

• Article 51A of Constitution provides fundamental duties to give way to ‘duty based ethics for the citizens.

Peace:

• Tolerance, non-aggression and universal brotherhood is depicted in article 51 of the constitution which directs the state too promote international peace and security, maintain just and honourable relations between nations and foster respect for international law.

Responsibility towards environment:

• Environmental ethics is prominently preached by the constitution. for instance, article 48A is a constitutional pointer to the state to protect and improve the environment and
• Article 51A (g) confers a fundamental duty on the citizens of India to protect and improve the environment and have compassion for living creatures.

Conclusion

Even after six decades of making, the Indian sacred document has been proved successful because of its strong ethical foundations and continues to guide the state and its subjects in an ethical direction.