Malcolm Rivera
Fraternity, a core constitutional value in India, is derived from the French word for brotherhood, friendship, community, and cooperation. It is enshrined in the Indian Constitution alongside liberty and equality, with the aim of achieving social harmony and unity. Fraternity is closely linked to social solidarity and plays a pivotal role in fostering equality in society. However, the practical application of fraternity in India faces several challenges due to the country's diverse cultures and traditions, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts among different communities. The framers of the Indian Constitution, including Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, recognised the importance of fraternity in a society marred by hierarchical social inequalities, especially those stemming from the caste system.
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What You'll Learn
Fraternity's role in achieving social harmony and unity
Fraternity, a core constitutional value in India, is derived from the French word for brotherhood, friendship, community, and cooperation. Fraternity, in the context of the Indian Constitution, refers to a sense of common brotherhood and sisterhood among all Indians, fostering unity and solidarity in social life. It is one of the four pillars of constitutional morality, alongside justice, liberty, and equality, and is essential for achieving social harmony and unity.
The framers of the Indian Constitution, including Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, recognised the importance of fraternity in addressing the societal issues caused by hierarchical social inequalities, such as caste and religion. Ambedkar stressed the inseparability of liberty, equality, and fraternity, considering them fundamental to Indian democracy. He believed that the Indian Republic would only thrive through affective political bonds, love, and brotherhood, rather than violence and fear.
Fraternity plays a crucial role in achieving social harmony and unity by promoting equality and the dignity of individuals. It ensures that all citizens are treated equally, regardless of caste, class, colour, religion, or gender. Fraternity also emphasises the need for a functioning moral order in society, where ethical values and social responsibility are upheld. This includes addressing disparities in access to quality education, as educational inequalities can reinforce divisions among communities.
Additionally, fraternity in India is closely linked to the idea of political fraternity, which involves the emancipation and empowerment of people. It challenges caste privilege and seeks to forge political unity by transcending communal differences. The concept of fraternity, as a foundational political objective, guides the country's democratic processes and promotes a sense of national integrity.
However, it is important to note that fraternity is the least understood, discussed, and practised of the four pillars of constitutional morality. Despite its inclusion in the Constitution, India continues to face challenges in fostering true social harmony and unity due to the deep-rooted nature of social inequalities.
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Fraternity as a constitutional value
Fraternity is a core constitutional value in India, alongside liberty and equality. Fraternity, derived from the French word for brotherhood, also encompasses friendship, community, and cooperation. It is a sense of common brotherhood among all Indians, giving unity and solidarity to social life.
The framers of the Indian Constitution recognised the importance of fraternity in a society marred by hierarchical social inequalities. Fraternity is one of the four pillars of constitutional morality, as spelt out in the Preamble of India's Constitution, alongside justice, liberty, and equality. Fraternity is closely linked to social solidarity and is essential to achieving the gains of the other three pillars.
The principle of fraternity was added to the Preamble by Dr B. R. Ambedkar, chairman of the Drafting Committee, in 1948. Ambedkar stressed the inseparability of liberty, equality, and fraternity, considering them fundamental tenets of Indian democracy. He defined fraternity as "a sense of familiar sisterhood and brotherhood among the citizens of India". Ambedkar's inclusion of fraternity in the Preamble was influenced by his recognition of the need for fraternal concord and goodwill in India, particularly in the aftermath of Partition and the prevalence of casteism.
Fraternity, as a constitutional value, aims to achieve social harmony and unity in India. It is reflected in Article 51A on Fundamental Duties, which states the responsibility of every citizen to promote harmony and equality by eliminating all forms of discrimination based on gender, religion, caste, and other factors. Fraternity ensures two key aspects: human dignity and national integrity. Human dignity refers to the Constitution's guarantee to protect the personality and rights of every individual, while national integrity and unity refer to the psychological and territorial aspects of national integration.
Despite its significance, fraternity has been the constitutional value that has received the most neglect. The practical application of fraternity in India faces challenges due to factors such as a lack of mutual trust and understanding among groups, disparities in access to quality education, and the complex dynamics of India's diverse cultures and traditions.
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Fraternity and its relation to human dignity
Fraternity, a core constitutional value in India, is derived from the French word for brotherhood, friendship, community, and cooperation. Fraternity, in the context of the Indian Constitution, refers to a sense of common brotherhood and sisterhood among all Indians, fostering unity and solidarity in social life. Fraternity is one of the four pillars of constitutional morality, alongside justice, liberty, and equality.
The inclusion of fraternity in the Indian Constitution was influenced by the country's struggle for independence and the subsequent emergence of constitutional democracy. The framers of the Constitution recognized the importance of fraternity in addressing the societal inequalities and divisions prevalent in India at the time. Fraternity, in this context, is closely linked to social solidarity and plays a pivotal role in achieving social harmony and unity.
The concept of fraternity ensures two key aspects: human dignity and national integrity. Human dignity, as outlined in the Indian Constitution, guarantees that the personality of each individual is respected and protected. It ensures that every person is treated with equality and provided with the same opportunities, regardless of caste, class, colour, religion, or other factors. Fraternity promotes the idea that all citizens are equal and that no one should face discrimination or be denied their fundamental rights.
Fostering a sense of fraternity is essential for maintaining mutual trust and understanding among different groups in society. It encourages ethical behaviour and social responsibility, contributing to the success of democracy. However, disparities in access to quality education and opportunities can hinder the realization of fraternity, as they reinforce divisions among communities.
The Indian Constitution's emphasis on fraternity aligns with Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's vision of an India where divisions of caste and religion fade away. Ambedkar, the chairman of the Drafting Committee, stressed the inseparability of liberty, equality, and fraternity, considering them fundamental to Indian democracy. He viewed fraternity as a safeguard against the denial of liberty or equality and believed it was essential for the Indian Republic to thrive through affective political bonds, love, and brotherhood.
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Fraternity and its relation to national integrity
Fraternity, a core constitutional value in India, is derived from the French word for brotherhood, friendship, community, and cooperation. Fraternity is enshrined in the Indian Constitution, which recognises its importance in achieving social harmony and unity in a society marred by hierarchical social inequalities. Fraternity is closely linked to social solidarity and is essential to maintaining national integrity and human dignity.
The framers of the Indian Constitution, particularly Dr B. R. Ambedkar, stressed the inseparability of liberty, equality, and fraternity, deeming them fundamental tenets of Indian democracy. Ambedkar's inclusion of fraternity in the Constitution was influenced by his desire to see an India where divisions of caste and religion would gradually fade away. He viewed fraternity as a safeguard against the denial of liberty or equality, conceptualising it as Maitri or "loving kindness".
Fraternity, in the context of the Indian Constitution, promotes the idea of treating each individual equally and with dignity, regardless of gender, religion, caste, or other differentiating factors. It aims to break down barriers and ensure that all citizens are equal before the law. This concept of fraternity is essential in maintaining national integrity by fostering a sense of unity and solidarity among diverse communities.
However, the practical application of fraternity in India presents challenges. A lack of mutual trust and understanding among groups can undermine the spirit of fraternity and hinder progress towards common goals. Disparities in access to quality education can perpetuate social inequalities and further fragment communities. Additionally, the historical caste system in India continues to pose a challenge to achieving true political fraternity and unity.
To address these challenges, constitutional morality, ethical values, and social responsibility are vital. A functioning moral order in society helps maintain trust among citizens and prevents the erosion of brotherhood. By investing in concepts like fraternity and promoting educational equity, India can move towards a more unified and integrated nation, fulfilling the goals of national integrity enshrined in its Constitution.
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Fraternity's historical underpinnings
Fraternity, derived from the French word for brotherhood, friendship, community, and cooperation, is a core constitutional value in India. Fraternity, along with liberty and equality, forms the basis of social harmony and unity. The concept of fraternity in the Indian Constitution is deeply rooted in the country's history and has evolved over time.
The idea of fraternity has a long history, dating back to ancient times. In Plato's "Lysis," the philosopher uses the word "philia" (love) to describe a strong desire to pursue wisdom. In this context, fraternity was seen as a desire to share knowledge and wisdom with others, enhancing friendship through intellectual exchange. Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, further developed the idea of fraternity by emphasising the importance of the "polis," the city-state where people lived as political beings, and friendships among citizens were crucial.
During the Middle Ages, fraternity took on a different dimension, particularly within the Christian context in Europe. The concept of liberty, equality, and fraternity gained prominence in France before the French Revolution, with the terms first coined by Camille Desmoulins in 1790 and later popularised by political leader Maximilian Robespierre.
In the context of India's struggle for independence and the emergence of constitutional democracy, the importance of fraternity became evident. Dr B. R. Ambedkar, the chairman of the Drafting Committee, recognised that liberty, equality, and fraternity were inseparable and fundamental tenets of Indian democracy. He emphasised that the caste and religious divisions in India could be gradually diminished through the spirit of fraternity. Ambedkar's inclusion of fraternity in the Indian Constitution was influenced by Buddhist thought and practice, with the concept of "Maitri," or loving-kindness, reflecting the belief that the Indian Republic would thrive through affective political bonds.
Fraternity, as a constitutional value, aims to foster mutual trust and understanding among diverse groups in India. It is closely linked to social solidarity and plays a pivotal role in promoting unity and equality. However, the practical application of fraternity in India faces challenges due to the country's diverse cultures and traditions, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts among different communities.
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Frequently asked questions
Fraternity is a core constitutional value in India, alongside liberty and equality, aimed at achieving social harmony and unity. Fraternity refers to treating each individual equally and providing human dignity to all citizens.
Fraternity is important because it helps to foster unity and equality in a society with diverse cultures and traditions that can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts among different communities. Fraternity is also important because it is closely linked to social solidarity, and gains coming from liberty and equality are strengthened and enriched by a sense of fraternity.
The concept of fraternity was added to the Indian Constitution by Dr B. R. Ambedkar, the chairman of the Drafting Committee. Ambedkar defined fraternity as "a sense of familiar sisterhood and brotherhood among the citizens of India".
Fraternity faces practical challenges in its application in India due to a lack of mutual trust and understanding among groups, disparities in access to quality education, and the caste system, which goes against the principle of equality.
