Answer:

Based on the suggestions of Swaran Singh Committee, 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1976) included ten Fundamental Duties in the constitution.

According to Article 51 A, it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to: abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, National Flag and Anthem, cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national struggle for freedom, uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so, promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst the people of India, respect women, value the rich heritage and culture, protect and improve natural environment, develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform, safeguard public property and abjure violence, strive towards excellence, provide opportunities for education to children.

Rights and duties of the citizens are correlative and inseparable. Fundamental Rights are meant for promoting the ideal of political democracy and prevent an authoritarian and despotic rule. It protects the liberties and freedoms of the people against the invasion by the State. They further limit the arbitrary powers of state, and ensure some basic inalienable rights for the development of the people. While Fundamental duties act as reminder to citizens that while enjoying their rights, they should also be conscious of duties towards their country, society and fellow citizens. Thus, they instill democratic ethos by invoking duty based approach.

They serve as a warning against the anti-national and antisocial activities and serve as a source of inspiration for the citizens and promote a sense of discipline and commitment among them. They create a feeling that the citizens are not mere spectators but active participants in the realisation of national goals.

In 1992, Supreme Court ruled that in determining the constitutionality of any law, if a court finds that the law in question seeks to give effect to a fundamental duty, it may consider such law to be reasonable in relation to Article 14 or Article 19 and save such law from unconstitutionality.

Thus, they are equally important, if not less than fundamental rights in sustaining democracy. They invoke and stir conscience and thus build a proactive value system in the people unlike the reactive nature of fundamental rights.