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3. Nature of Fundamental Duties

A. As the Directive Principles are addressed to the state, the fundamental duties are addressed to the citizens. The citizens enjoying the fundamental rights must respect the ideals of the constitution, to promote harmony and spirit of the brotherhood.

B. Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable. It means the citizens cannot be forced to observe them. Some of them, are however part of the enforceable law. For example, Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971, and so on. However, if a citizen violates Fundamental Duties, his Fundamental Rights may not be restored when he approaches courts.

C. While some of the fundamental duties are moral duties e.g. to promote a spirit of patriotism and to uphold the unity of India; cherishing the noble ideals of freedom struggle etc, there are others that are civic duties, for instance, respecting the National Flag and National Anthem.

D. Fundamental Duties consist of tasks essential to the Indian way of life by incorporating precepts reflecting the values of the Indian tradition.

E. Fundamental duties are extended only to Indian citizens and not foreigners, in a stark contrast with certain Fundamental Rights.