Constitution is a mere skeleton whereas constitutionalism is the soul of democracy. Discuss.
Main Body
Constitution is the written, organic, law of land. Constitutionalism is doctrine of limited government provided in IP Coelho, Kaneelkara Bound case. Dr. B.P. Ambedkar remarked that no matter how good a constitution is if those implementing it are not good it will be bad. This forms the soul of this discussion that Constitutionalism is more important than Constitution itself. Skeleton: Constitution - It provide the framework of government and separation of power between 3 organs as well as division of power at various level - Provide limit to power of Parliament, eg. Article 13 no law be made antithetical to fundamental rights - Provide governance redressal (eg. Article 32)
Judiciary → uphold fundamental rights & strike down laws ultra-vires to constitution Legislature → use Parliament & legislative assembly to check government use of power (eg. no ordinance mention) Further, constitutionalism also provide for important role of civil society to work such that good governance is ensured.
— Shoham Teberiwal · AIR 77
Conclusion
35 words
Shoham Teberiwal
Indian Constitution - Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure
Basic Structure
Significant Provisions
191
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