The Indian society had suffered economic and social disparities over a period of centuries under the Mughal and British colonial rule. Therefore to bring economic and social equality, the founding fathers of the Constitution incorporated directive principles in the constitution to guide future governance to bring down economic and social disparities in the society. Provisions relating to reservation for backward classes, laws against untouchability and use of material resources for common good of the people etc are enshrined in the directive principles while Articles 14, 15 and 16 in part-III of the constitution secures various other equalities and freedom to citizens.
Article-14 commands the State not to deny to ‘any person’ such right to equality. Such right to equality is available not only to citizens of the country but persons residing in the country, a glorious idea that fulfills universal brotherhood ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. Article-15 guarantees citizens against any discrimination on the grounds of religion, caste, sex or place of the birth while Article-16 guarantees citizens equal opportunity in the matter of employment and Article-19 guarantees freedom of speech, expression, assembly and movement. The key among social security provisions is one relating to social and economic equality as mandated in Article-39 which mandates Governments to direct its policy for securing a) adequate means of livelihood; b) to ensure ownership and control of the material resources, to subserve the common good. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the constituent assembly had said that the provisions in the directive principles are not mere pious declarations but morally binding on future rulers as binding adherence to principles of Mahatma Gandhi who used to say that success of any plan/programme would be determined on how it benefits the last man in the queue. Thus the directive principles are a reflection of collective instinct of founding fathers, deeply rooted in the habits of morality and equality starting from Tilakji to Gandhiji which demand truth, honesty and simplicity by the rulers/administrators.
Gandhiji had made his life’s mission to end social evils of untouchability. Still caste based discrimination and injustice are happening. Though these directive principles cannot be claimed as a matter of right, the Supreme Court had declared in past that they stand as complementary to fundamental rights. However, by mere legislation, the objectives of freedom and social security cannot be secured unless there is awakening among political class and the people.
The country has utterly failed to secure effectively justice, social, economic and political, to the masses for which the gap between the rich and poor has further widened. Economic inequality has been rising sharply for the last three decades for which the Government has to undertake programmes like MGNREGA and food security to strengthen means of livelihood. In the light of this, reduction of budget provision that guarantees at least 100 days livelihood will hurt the poor people. Millions of people who lost livelihood in cities due to Covid situation migrated to villages due to uncertainties of epidemic situation, while in the same situation, the wealth of richer section rose from 23.14 lakh crore to 53.16 lakh crore.
Economic policy of the successive Governments has only widened the gap between the poor and rich. The gap between the rich and poor is on the rise because of exploitation of the poor and unequal opportunity to secure better livelihood. Gandhiji always stood for equality. He was aghast with inequalities of his time. While narrating the beauty of Bombay city, Gandhiji wrote in the Young India on July 6, 1921 under the heading “Bombay the Beautiful”, that Bombay is beautiful, not for its big buildings for most of them hide squalid poverty and dirt, not for its wealth for most of it is derived from the blood of the masses, but for its world-renowned generosity.
Wealthy people have successfully used the system and policy to amass wealth at the cost of ordinary citizens at a much faster pace while the common men are still struggling to earn a living and avail quality education. While a rich can hire a full aeroplane to carry the bride to the marriage function, the parents of a girl are unable to secure a ‘Mangalasutra’ for their daughter solely because of her birth was in a poor family. The lower middle class who have scanty family budget suffer from inflation and rise of prices of fuel and essential commodities due to unbearable burden on their pocket. Under-investment in health sector often deprives the poor of affordable health and social security. While a rich man uses his wealth to procure special healthcare in costly hospitals, the poor languishes in less modern healthcare units.
The Odisha Government’s Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) smart health card can be a model for the entire country which has better provisions to take care of the poor and particularly women. The Ukraine war has exposed weakness in our education system as thousands who were studying medicine have returned mid-course due to the war which needs planning to help them to complete their remaining course in the country. People in lesser cost are able to secure medical seat in some foreign countries like Ukraine, China and Russia without any impediment of caste or religion. India which is on the verge of becoming a global power must facilitate for establishment of more medical colleges, medical research with community health service programme to prevent outflow of youth potential to outside the country to stop such brain drain. Right to health and Right to work must be treated as fundamental to receive priority of every Government in tune with the directive principles of the constitution.