Thread by @Insights_ias

“Basic Structure Doctrine a North Star which guides interpretation of Constitution”: CJI DY Chandrachud

Explore the rich legacy of the Indian Constitution with profound quotes from judgements from the #SupremeCourtofIndia & others.

#UPSC #upscprelims
#ConstitutionOfIndia

CONSTITUTIONAL PRIMACY

“It’s not a mere legal document,but a Magna Carta of our liberties."
K.T. Moopil Nair v State of Kerala (1961)

•"It’s the supreme law of the land & any law/action in contravention of the Constitution is void."
Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala(1973)

•"It guarantees to all citizens of India justice,liberty & equality."
Minerva Mills Ltd v UOI(1980)

•"The Constitution of India is a document that protects the rights of the marginalized & the vulnerable sections of society." Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985)

•It is a document that seeks to promote fraternity among citizens & foster a sense of common national identity."
S. Rangarajan v. P Jagjivan Ram (1989)

•"It is a transformative document & is intended to bring about a social revolution."
Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991)

•"The Constitution lays the foundation for a secular & democratic republic in India."
S. R. Bommai v UoI(1994)

•“The Constitution is a document that seeks to balance the rights of the individual with the larger public interest."
State of Bihar v Bal Mukund Shah (2012)

A LIVING DOCUMENT:

•"The Constitution is a document of empowerment,providing equal opportunities to all citizens."
NALSA v. UoI(2014)

•"The Constitution of India is a living organic document,which is capable of growth & expansion."
Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017)

DOCUMENT OF SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

•"The Constitution of India is a document of social transformation & the rights provided under it are to be read in a broad & liberal manner."
Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017)

"The Constitution is not a static document but a dynamic one, which must evolve with the changing times."
Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018)

•"The Constitution of India is not only a legal document but a social document as well."
Joseph Shine v. Union of India (2018)

DOCUMENT OF HOPE

"The Constitution of India is a document of hope and aspirations, which seeks to build an inclusive society."

Shafin Jahan v. Asokan K.M. (2018)

IMPORTANCE of BASIC STRUCTURE:

“The ‘basic structure doctrine’ is a north star which guides & gives a certain direction to the intinterpreters & implementers of the Constitution when the path ahead is convoluted.”

CJI DY Chandrachud

“Amend as you may even the solemn document which the founding fathers/mothers committed to your care for. You know the best needs of your generation, but
the Constitution is a precious heritage. Therefore, you cannot destroy its identity.”

CJI DY Chandrachud

“Law is always grounded in social realities. Just as the House must be in harmony with its environment and then context, so must law and legal ideas become part of the landscape & embody and express our local values.”

CJI DY Chandrachud

“However good a Constitution may be, if those who are implementing it are not good, it will prove to be bad. However, bad a Constitution may be, if those implementing it are good, it will prove to be good”.

Dr. B R Ambedkar

“It is the Constitution of India that is supreme. The Judiciary is not supreme, the Executive is not Supreme, the Parliament is not Supreme. The Constitution of India is supreme.”
Justice Madan Lokur