Page 99 - Constitution
P. 99
70 Years of Indian
Constitution
In outlook and purpose, life in the armed social equality and harmony? Or is it shaping a national
forces is heavily dependent on the traditions identity based on our core values so as to mature as a
imbibed over years of blood stained history strong and vibrant nation, proud and confident, backed by
of the services. These traditions, almost adequate national poser to be proud and confident, backed
sacred to soldiers, can be traced upwards to by adequate national power to assume its rightful role in
patriotism and down wards to self-pride. international affairs. Nation building is a combination of all
facets of progress. This is also stated in the Preamble to
Article 33: Restrictions on Fundamental Rights the Constitution.
Article 33 of the Constitution authorises the Parliament In outlook and purpose, life in the armed forces is heavily
to restrict or abrogate the applicability of Fundamental dependent on the traditions imbibed over years of blood
Rights to the members of the armed forces and certain stained history of the services. These traditions, almost
other forces and services to ensure proper ‘discharge sacred to soldiers, can be traced upwards to patriotism
of their duties’ and the ‘maintenance of discipline’. and down wards to self-pride. They are not only from the
Restrictions under this Article prevent personnel of the Indian Army under the British but date back to the days
Armed Forces from participating in any political activity, of Mahabharat. They refer to Bhagwad Gita’s message
necessary to uphold the apolitical character of the forces ‘considering your own duty, you should not waver, for there
and also on direct communication on service or political is nothing more welcome for a man of warrior class than
subjects to the press. a righteous war’, or Guru Gobind Singh’s message of ‘De
It must, however, be noted that other than the specified Shiva war mohe shubh karman se kab hun na taru.....’, or
purpose of ‘discharge of duties’ and ‘maintenance of the Indian Military Academy credo that states, “the safety,
discipline’, these restrictions do not in any manner, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and
proclaim that members of such forces shall be lesser every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men
citizens, or that rights can be restricted or abrogated for you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and
purposes other than the ibid purposes. safety come last, always and every time.” The primary
role of the armed forces is to defend India’s territorial
Armed Forces in Nation Building integrity against external and internal threats. This is
Under the Constitution, the armed forces play an important central to the concept of national security and paramount
role in nation building. What is nation building? Is it for all nation-building activities. Since Independence, the
economic development and industrialisation? Is it building armed forces have fought external and internal inimical
large metros, roads, schools and hospitals? Is it ensuring forces almost continuously to ensure that India’s freedom
70 Years of Indian Constitution 99
