What is known as the cornerstone of the Indian Constitution?

Question

Accepted Answer

Fundamental Rights - Why are Fundamental Rights the cornerstone?Fundamental Rights are enshrined in Part III of the Indian Constitution. They protect  citizens from the arbitrary and absolute exercise of power by the State, ensuring a dignified life. This is why prominent historians like Granville Austin described them as the 'cornerstone' of the Constitution. It is also widely known as the 'Magna Carta of India'.Important Note: In the Minerva Mills case (1980), the Supreme Court held that the Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of the balance between Fundamental Rights (Part III) and Directive Principles (Part IV).Let's analyze the other options:Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV):  These are guidelines or principles given to the state while framing laws and policies. Borrowed from the Irish Constitution, their main objective is to establish a 'Welfare State' (social and economic democracy).Fundamental Duties (Part IVA): These were not present in the original constitution. They were added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1976, based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. This concept was borrowed from the USSR.Preamble of the Constitution: The Preamble is often referred to as the 'Soul of the Constitution' as it contains the philosophy and fundamental values on which the Constitution is based. N.A. Palkhivala called it the 'Identity Card of the Constitution'.

What is known as the cornerstone of the Indian Constitution?

Practice More Fundamental Rights Questions