In conjuction: On evolution of democratic society

News: Indian PM in his speech recently stated that India had wasted a lot of time “fighting for rights” and “neglecting one’s duties”.

What is the relationship between rights and duties?

The evolution of democratic society is centered on the expansion of individual and group rights. Duties are important for reinforcement of those rights. Thus, Duties and rights complement each other.

Any notion of rights and duties being opposite or hierarchical(superior/inferior) is incorrect.

The Indian Constitution enshrines equality and freedom as fundamental rights, along with rights against exploitation, freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights, and the right to Constitutional remedies.

At the same time, citizens have duty to protect the integrity and sovereignty of the nation. Other duties include the duty to promote harmony and brotherhood and to develop scientific temper, humanism, and spirit of inquiry.

What is the relationship between duties and state?

A shift of state policy with an emphasis on duty is not correct. Duty is not something that citizens owe to the state. Obligation or duties of individual citizens can only be meaningful when their rights are guaranteed by the state.

E.g. When a citizen has the right to use a public road, they have the duty to obey traffic rules also. Citizens here cannot be obligated to obey traffic rules, without giving them the right to use public roads. Both rights and duties here can happen only in conjunction.

But with rising state coercion, restrictions on the rights of the citizens are on the rise.

Source: This post is based on the article “In conjuction: On evolution of democratic society” published in The Hindu on 25th January 2022.