Rights flow from duties, must strengthen Constitution: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called upon citizens to strengthen the Constitution by fulfilling their duties, noting that a duty well performed created a corresponding right. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi on Constitution Day, which marks the adoption of the document by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, the PM said, “Real rights are a result of the performance of duty.”

Amid a raging controversy around the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by the Election Commission, the PM described voting as a national duty. “Our Constitution has given us the right to vote. As citizens, it is our duty to never miss the opportunity to vote in national, state and local elections where we are registered,” he said.

Repeating his old message of how the Constitution enabled his rise from humble beginnings to the PMO, Modi said it was only because of the sacred document that he was able to serve the country as the head of government first in Gujarat and then at the Centre.

In a letter addressed to citizens, the PM paid respects to the leaders of the Constitution-drafting process and spoke of how he always made it a point to celebrate November 26 both as the Gujarat CM and later as the PM when, starting 2015, he declared the day as Constitution Day.

“It is the power of our Constitution that enabled a person like me, coming from a humble and economically disadvantaged family, to serve as the head of the government continuously for over 24 years. I still remember the moments in 2014 when I came to Parliament for the first time and bowed, touching the steps of the greatest temple of democracy.

“Again, in 2019, after the election results, when I entered the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, I bowed and placed the Constitution on my forehead as a mark of reverence. This Constitution has given several others, like me, the power to dream and the strength to work towards it,” Modi said, adding the Constitution had continued to guide the nation’s progress with clarity and conviction.

Remembering Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr BR Ambedkar, women members of the Constituent Assembly and other luminaries who shaped the Constitution, the PM laid great emphasis on primacy of duties.

“The Constitution also emphasises duties through a dedicated chapter on Fundamental Duties in Article 51A. These duties guide us on how to collectively achieve social and economic progress. Mahatma Gandhi always emphasised the duties of a citizen. He believed that a duty well performed creates a corresponding right and that real rights are a result of the performance of duty,” the PM said.

Noting that in just over two decades from now India would mark 100 years since freedom from colonial rule, the PM said, “In 2049, it will be a 100 years since the Constitution was adopted. The policies we frame, the decisions we take today and our collective actions will shape the lives of generations to come. Inspired by this, as we move forward to realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat, we must always place our duties towards our nation foremost in our minds.”

To hammer the point of duties, the PM spoke of the life of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru who sacrificed his life for the sake of faith. “This Constitution Day, we commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, whose life and sacrifice continue to illuminate us with courage, compassion and strength,” Modi said, adding that the Constitution was fully in force in Jammu and Kashmir on account of the inspiration of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who united a disparate nation.

“It was Sardar Patel’s inspiration and courage of conviction that guided our steps to act against Article 370 and 35(A),” said the PM.