How fraternity in India is different from the idea enshrined in the Constitution

Source: The post is based on the article “How fraternity in India is different from the idea enshrined in the Constitution” published in “The Hindu” on 13th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Polity – Indian Constitution

News: The author discusses the concept of fraternity in political philosophy and its historical evolution. They emphasize its significance in India’s Constitution but point out its neglect due to caste divisions. The article suggests that addressing caste-based inequalities is essential to attain genuine political fraternity in India.

What is the concept of Fraternity?

Origin in Political Philosophy: Fraternity emphasizes the emancipation and empowerment of people in the political realm. Historically, it stands alongside liberty and equality as a cornerstone of liberal political philosophy.

Ancient Beginnings: Traced back to Plato, where the term “philia” (love) denotes the sharing of knowledge, making friendships more profound. Aristotle later emphasized justice and friendship within the “polis,” marking the birth of political fraternity.

Evolution Over Time: The Middle Ages linked fraternity with Christianity in Europe. It gained political prominence during the French Revolution with the slogan “liberté, égalité, fraternité.”

Fraternity in India: Emphasized during India’s independence struggle, it became a vital tenet of the Constitution. However, India’s caste system presents challenges, as fraternity often remains within caste groups rather than bridging them.

How important was Fraternity in India’s independence?

Foundational Tenet: During India’s independence struggle and the subsequent rise of its constitutional democracy, the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity were central. They served as guiding principles for a diverse Indian society transitioning to an independent republic.

Ambedkar’s Stance: Dr. Ambedkar stressed the inseparability of liberty, equality, and fraternity. He highlighted the importance of fraternity in India’s diverse and divided society.

Constitutional Framing: The framers of the Indian Constitution understood the significance of fraternity for India, a nation divided by various social hierarchies. They recognized the necessity of fraternity to counter these divisions and maintain cohesion.

What limits Fraternity in India?

Social Inequalities: Fraternity is hindered if it merely glosses over existing social disparities. True fraternity cannot be built on social solidarity that ignores these differences.

Caste Divisions: India’s caste system poses significant challenges. While there exist fraternal ties within caste groups, inter-caste unity remains elusive. The shared history of India, marked by the caste system, opposes both equality and liberty, key tenets alongside fraternity.

Religious Discrimination: The rhetoric of aggressive nationalism often paints religious minorities as enemies. Such minorities have repeatedly faced social and political discrimination.

Fundamentalism’s Impact: Any form of fundamentalism, with its rigid beliefs and practices, prevents the development of genuine fraternity. A fanatic’s outlook is often exclusive, hampering true fraternal connections.

What’s the way forward for Fraternity in India?

Addressing Caste Dynamics: For true political fraternity to emerge in India, caste and its associated prejudices must be addressed. The article suggests that caste and the idea of political fraternity cannot coexist, with one needing to make way for the other.

Political Conditioning Over Moral Stance: Fraternity in India needs to be curated, carved, and instilled through political conditioning. The article emphasizes that this approach is more effective than relying on moral considerations alone.

Role of Affirmative Actions: The introduction of affirmative actions, like the reservation system, was aimed at building equality among varied social groups. This equality is essential to actualize fraternal relations in a society marked by structural hierarchies.

Emphasis on Equality: A foundational acceptance of equality is essential to foster true fraternal ties in India. Without this, fraternity remains restricted within caste boundaries.

Politics of the Future: Deciding which one survives, caste or fraternity, will be the task of future politics. The article suggests that the politics of the future will determine the path India takes.