Page 20 - Constitution

70 Years of Indian Years of Indian

Constitution
Constitution

Most recently, in the wake of the pandemic of
by the Hon’ble Apex Court that “A common thread runs
through Parts III, IV and IV-A of the Constitution of India. COVID-19, the suo motu cognizance of various issues
One Part enumerates the fundamental rights, the second by the Hon’ble Apex Court and other High Courts,

declares the fundamental principles of governance and is a re-affirmation of the fundamental duties that
the third lays down the fundamental duties of the citizens. citizens are required to perform for the well-being
and safety of the collective
While interpreting any of these provisions, it shall always
be advisable to examine the scope and impact of such
the growth of the country comes in the form of performance
interpretation on all the three constitutional aspects
of their Fundamental Duties. This has acquired a newfound
emerging from these Parts.”
significance due to COVID-19. How closely the lives of all
Most recently, in the wake of the pandemic of
people are interlaced with each other and the extent of the
COVID-19, the suo motu cognizance of various issues by the
magnitude of the actions of a single person, affecting the lives
Hon’ble Apex Court and other High Courts, is a re-affirmation
of many, teaches us the importance of our duties, especially
of the fundamental duties that citizens are required to perform
in so far as our rights are concerned.
for the well-being and safety of the collective. To treat migrant
To conclude, I may quote Mahatma Gandhi, who beautifully
workers in a humane manner, to ensure that all norms of social
wrote to Julian Huxley, the Director-General of UNESCO in
distancing are followed, to maintain all safety protocols, etc.;
1947:
in my opinion, the pandemic of COVID-19, has given us the
“I learnt from my illiterate but wise mother, that all rights to
best opportunity to witness the true impact of Fundamental
be deserved and preserved came from duty well done. Thus,
Duties and their observance or non-observance, as the case
the very right to live accrues to us only when we do the duty
may be. The citizens of our country are not mere spectators
of citizenship of the world.”
in attainment of national goals and their active contribution to

Justice Vikram Nath is Chief Justice of High Court of Gujarat since October
10, 2019. He was also Judge in Allahabad High Court from September 24,

2004 to September 9, 2019.

20 70 Years of Indian Constitution