2.8. Fraternity

Fraternity means a sense of brotherhood. The Constitution promotes this feeling of fraternity by the system of single citizenship. Also, the Fundamental Duties (Art. 51A) say that it shall be the duty of every citizen to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all people of India transcending religious, linguistic, regional and sectoral diversities.

According the Preamble, fraternity assures two things – the dignity of the individual and the

integrity of the nation. The word ‘integrity’ was added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.

According to K.M Munshi, the phrase ‘dignity of the individual’ signifies that the Constitution not only ensures material betterment and maintains a democratic set-up, but that it also recognizes that the personality of every individual is sacred.

The phrase ‘unity and integrity of the nation’ embraces both psychological and territorial dimensions of national integration. Art. 1 of the Constitution describes India as a ‘Union of States’ to make it clear that the States have no right to secede from the Union, implying the indestructible nature of the Indian Union. It aims at overcoming hindrances to national integration like communalism, regionalism, casteism, secessionism etc.