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APPSC GROUP-I MAINS ANSWER WRITING SERIES

Sat Apr 12, 2025

Q. Relevance of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Emphasis on Constitutional Morality in present-day Governance.

Approach:
1.Introduction
•Start with Ambedkar’s idea of constitutional morality — define it.
•Use a powerful quote (like “It has to be cultivated”).
•Link it directly to ethical governance and contemporary relevance.
2. Body:
A. Components of Constitutional Morality
- Subheadings + Brief explanation + Contemporary Relevance
•Rule of Law
•Protection of Rights
•Accountability and Restraint
•Tolerance and Dialogue
•Justice and Equality
B. Illustration of Constitutional Morality
- Use a landmark Supreme Court Case
•Best example: Section 377 Judgement (2018) — SC upheld individual rights over majoritarian morality.
3. Conclusion
•Reaffirm Ambedkar’s ethical vision as timeless.

Introduction
Ambedkar’s idea of constitutional morality provides an ethical framework for responsible governance rooted in justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. In contemporary India, cultivating constitutional morality among leaders and citizens is vital to preserve democracy, protect individual rights, and promote social harmony in alignment with constitutional ideals and ethical governance principles.

Body:
Components of Constitutional Morality:
1. Respect for Rule of Law:
• Constitutional morality demands that all citizens and leaders abide by the law, not by personal will or political pressure. Contemporary Relevance: The judiciary upholding the rule of law in cases like disqualifying convicted politicians under Section 8 of the Representation of People act reinforces this principle.

2. Protection of Fundamental Rights:
• The ethical duty to uphold individual rights, dignity, and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. Contemporary Relevance: Supreme Court’s verdict on Right to Privacy (2017) and ongoing debates on Same Sex Marriage Rights (2023) reflect this commitment to constitutional morality.
3. Accountability and Constitutional Restraint:
• Exercising power within constitutional limits to prevent authoritarianism.
Contemporary Relevance: The functioning of the Election Commission of India in ensuring free and fair elections demonstrate accountability rooted in constitutional morality.
4. Tolerance, Fraternity, and Dialogue:
• Promotion of mutual respect, social harmony, and resolution of conflicts through peaceful dialogue rather than coercion. Contemporary Relevance: Government and civil society efforts to counter hate speech and promote Communal harmony are in line with Ambedkar’s ethical vision.
5. Spirit of Justice and Equality:
• Ensuring equality and social justice for marginalized sections, beyond mere legal formality. Contemporary Relevance: Reservation policies for SCs, STs, OBCs, and the EWS category reflect the commitment to social justice envisioned by Ambedkar.
Illustration of Constitutional Morality:
· Supreme Court on Section 377 (2018):
A landmark illustration of constitutional morality is seen in Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India, where the Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality by reading down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. The Court emphasized that constitutional morality must prevail over social morality or popular prejudices. It stated that the Constitution protects individual rights, dignity, and personal freedoms, even if these are opposed by the majority view. This judgement reflects Ambedkar’s ethical vision — where governance is guided not by societal biases but by constitutional values of justice, equality, and human dignity.

Conclusion:
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar emphasized constitutional morality as essential for ethical governance, stating, “Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment. It has to be cultivated.” In today’s context of rising authoritarianism and erosion of democratic values, his vision remains relevant to ensure justice, equality, and adherence to constitutional principles in governance.