Q. Consider the following statements:
1.Secularism is the part of the Basic Structure of the Indian Constitution.
2.Parliament does not have the authority to amend any features that are part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution of India.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
Answer: C
Notes:
Explanations –
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Supreme Court has consistently held that secularism is a fundamental feature of the Constitution and forms part of its Basic Structure. This was established in cases like Kesavananda Bharati (1973) and S.R. Bommai (1994). The Basic Structure Doctrine, established in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), explicitly limits Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution under Article 368. Parliament cannot amend or alter features that form part of the Basic Structure, such as secularism, democracy, judicial review, or federalism. The Supreme Court has the authority to strike down any amendment that violates the Basic Structure.
Source: The Hindu
