Q. Consider the following statements about the relationship between Rights and Duties in a society:
1. The Indian Constitution gives primacy to Rights over Duties.
2. In a democracy, rights and duties of the citizens are correlative and inseparable.
3. Mahatma Gandhi said that rights are more important than duties to protect individual freedom.
How many statements given above are correct?
Exp) Option b is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct. The Indian Constitution gives primacy to Rights over Duties. While the Fundamental Rights are protected by Judicial Review (Article 13) and defended by the Supreme Court (justiciable under Article 32) in the Constitution, the Fundamental Duties are contained in Part IV-A (Article 51A) are non-Justiciable.
Statement 2 is correct. In a democracy, Rights and duties are inextricably linked. Rights and duties of the citizens are correlative and inseparable. The citizen’s exercise of their rights and freedoms is inseparable from the performance of their duties and obligations. Rights of citizens as a whole means that individuals have a duty to make small sacrifices of personal liberty (e.g. “reasonable restrictions” mentioned as limitations to rights in Part III) so that the peace and welfare of others is not curtailed – only then can everyone enjoy a basic common level of rights.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Mahatma Gandhi believed in both rights and duties. However, as evident from his writings in his book Hind Swaraj, he believed Duties are slightly more important. Gandhi stated that, ‘perform your duties and rights will not be far to seek’
