Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Diwas, is commemorated across the country on November 26 to mark the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1949. First celebrated in 2015 as a tribute to the country’s first Law Minister Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the day assumes significance and becomes a significant moment of introspection for Goa in administration, legislature, judiciary and upholding the basic fundamental rights of citizens.
A few aspects that would require reflection on this Constitution Day: Article 41: The article prescribes that the State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make adequate provision for securing the right to work, education and public assistance in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement. The Directive Principles of the State Policy envisages that Goa must act as a welfare state in securing the rights of its people, including the right to education.
Article 47: The article states that the State shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and stand of living of its people and improvement of public health as among its primary duties and, in particular, the State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs, except for medicinal purposes.
Article 48A. The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. Article 19: Protection of rights of citizens regards freedom of speech and expression, right to peaceful assembly, the right to move freely throughout India and to reside in any part of the territory. These are just a few; there are many other laws enshrined in the Constitution that give direction and guarantee citizens’ rights but have remained buried and illusive.
Constitution Day provides that moment of introspection: Has justice been done to the youth of the State who are battling unemployment? When discussing mergers of schools, is the right to education secured? Is the right of citizens guaranteed under the Constitution, beginning with the freedom of speech? Or is silencing voices of dissent the order of the day? Finally, have we done enough to justify our commitment to the environment and wildlife, or has there been a false sense of reassurance as the development bogey moves at a breakneck pace?
Constitution Day must be a day to focus and dive deep into such crucial aspects of the law that concern ordinary citizens and the welfare of the State as a whole. It’s time that governments go with the Constitution’s spirit and refocus on core issues that are bothering the State and bringing a heightened sense of insecurity. These issues have driven a wedge between people and those who govern and created a massive wall of distrust. Unless there is a pledge to uphold the Constitution in its true spirit without infringing on the rights of citizens, commemorating Constitution Day would be a futile exercise with an empty sense of commitment. Let this day be not another day of pompous outward celebration that has no connection with the realities of life.
