Indian Polity • ConstitutionHard

Analyze the legal and historical scope of Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles in light of judicial pronouncements: 1. In the Champakam Dorairajan case (1951), the Supreme Court held that Directive Principles are subordinate and subservient to Fundamental Rights. 2. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act gave primacy to all Directive Principles over Fundamental Rights enshrined in Articles 14, 19, and 31. 3. In the Minerva Mills case (1980), the Supreme Court ruled that the Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of the balance between Part III and Part IV. Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3✓ Correct Answer

💡 Solution & Explanation

All three statements are correct reflections of constitutional jurisprudence. The Champakam Dorairajan ruling established that Fundamental Rights prevailed over conflicting Directive Principles until the Parliament enacted corrective amendments. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment attempted to grant supremacy to Directive Principles contained in Article 39(b) and (c) over Articles 14 and 19. Subsequently, the Minerva Mills judgment restored structural equilibrium by declaring that harmony between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles constitutes an essential feature of the Constitution.

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