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70 Years of Indian Years of Indian
Constitution
Constitution
The fundamental rights also give the
culture;
n Protect and improve the natural environment including privilege to all armed forces personnel
forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion to participate in the polling process
for living creatures; and exercise his/her vote whenever
elections are held in their constituency
These are essential values deliberately inculcated
amongst all men and women of the armed forces. Over to play in ensuring territorial integrity of the nation and in
the years, it has become clear that such motivated people nation building.
not only make efficient and dedicated soldiers in service
but even after leaving the services continue as nation Articles 12-35: Fundamental Rights
building role models for the others. In fact, India’s armed Every citizen of India is guaranteed fundamental rights
forces revel in their status as the role model for national which are essential for intellectual, moral and spiritual
integration and meritocracy. development. These are enshrined in Part III (Articles
12 to 35) of the Constitution. Six fundamental rights
Article 312: No Mention of Armed Forces recognised by the Indian Constitution are:
India’s armed forces have played an important security
role for the Republic of India during the freedom struggle n Right to equality
and after Independence. The First War of Independence
n Right to freedom
in 1857 was fought by soldiers. The Navy mutinied against
n Right against exploitation
the British in Mumbai in 1946. Since Independence, the
armed forces have fought external and internal inimical n Right to freedom of religion
forces almost continuously to ensure that India’s freedom
n Cultural and educational rights, and
is protected and maintained. Even when the Constitution
n Right to Constitutional remedies
was being drafted, the armed forces were fighting India’s
first post-Independence war for its territorial integrity
in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Yet, unlike the All India The fundamental rights also give the privilege to all armed
Services-the Indian Administrative Service, The Indian forces personnel to participate in the polling process and
Police Service and the Indian Forest Service (created exercise his/her vote whenever elections are held in their
in 1966) - which find a birth place in Article 312 of the constituency. Unfortunately, till date, the Government and
Constitution due to insistence of then Home Minister the Election Commission have not been able to work out a
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel), there is no mention of India’s workable method wherein every soldier in peace and field
armed forces or the important role that they are required is able to exercise his/her voting right.
98 70 Years of Indian Constitution
