Foundation Course Semester 1 UNIT 4 The Indian Constitution

8: Basic Features of Indian Constitution The founding fathers of our constitution studied the various constitutions available in the various countries of the World and picked up the selected principles which would be suitable to Indian social-political, economic, cultural, religious conditions. The Constitution of India have provided the Indian citizen the best of the things for leading a happy and peaceful life. Therefore, the basic features of it are as follows:- The Lengthiest Written Constitution in the World: Popular Sovereignty: It is clearly stated in the preamble that India is not under any outside control. It is a sovereign nation under the people. The people will have right to elect their representatives to rule for themselves to the government. Hence, India has a democratic system of government. Any citizen who is above 18 years of age irrespective of religion, creed, caste, region, property, rich or poor,man or woman can execute adult franchise and have his representive for his/her welfare. It is very of significant provision in the constitution that the person may be from dire poverty or from an Industrialist will have right to one vote and one vote will have one value. Therefore, popular sovereignty is very important feature of the Constitution of India. Partly Rigid and Partly Flexible: When we read our constitutional document then we come to know that sometime, somewhere the articles of the constitution are very rigid to make any amendment and some where some articles are easily amended according to the situation exists. The article 368 of the Constitution provides for the amendment. At the sametime, in case of Jammu & Kashmir, the parliament has got limited rights to intervene in the affairs of this state. As against this, during 57 yrs. there are 92 amendments have been made in the constitution and states like Nagaland , Sikkim, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh etc. have been newly created. Many articles are added according to the present context. Provision of Fundamental Rights: The constitution of India guarantees the Fundamental Rights to every individual irrespective of birth, caste, creed, sex, religion,race, language, region, age, education, rich, poor etc: Articles from12 upto 35 mentions of Fundamental Rights. The Fundamental Rights are as follows:- . 1, Right to Equality (equality before law for everyone). 2 .Right to Liberty (includes freedoms). i) Freedom of speech and expression; ii) Freedom of assembly; iii) Freedom of practice any profession or occupation