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MANU/SC/0052/1964
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
Writ Petition Nos. 31, 50, 52, 54, 81 and 82 of 1964
Decided On: 30.10.1964
Ae!!ants: Sajjan Singh
Vs.
"esondent: State of Rajasthan
Hon'be !"#ges$
P.#. $a%endra&ad'ar, (.)., ).". *+d,o!'ar, -.N. Wanc,oo, *. .ida/at+!!a, and "a&,+0ar
Da/a!, )).
S"bje%t$ Constit"tion
Cat%h &o'#s$
A0o!ition, Ac1+isition, Acts and "e&+!ation, Affir2ation, A&rarian "efor2, A&ric+!t+ra!
3and, A2end2ent of 4+nda2enta! "i&,t, Aroriate Proceedin&, Attorne/ $enera!, #asic
4eat+re, (ertain c!ass, (ertiorari, (o2ensation, (o2etent 3e&is!at+re, (onstit+ent Po5er,
(onstit+tion A2end2ent Act, (onstit+tiona! A2end2ent, (onstit+tiona! 3a5, (onstit+tiona!
3i2itation, (onstit+tiona! 6+estion, (onstit+tiona! 7a!idit/, (ontra8ention, (reation of
3e&is!ati8e (o+nci!, Definition, De!e&ate, De!e&ation, Dero&ation of t,e 4+nda2enta! "i&,t,
Directi8e Princi!e, Disc,ar&e, Doctrine of Pit, and 9+0stance, :2er&enc/, :nforce2ent of
"i&,t, :nforce2ent of t,e "i&,t, :;ec+ti8e Action, :;ercise of 3e&is!ati8e Po5er, :;istin&
3a5, 4irst A2end2ent, 4ranc,ise, 4+nda2enta! "i&,t, $i8e :ffect <o, $+arantee, .a0eas
(or+s, .ar2onio+s (onstr+ction, =22+nit/, =ndian =ndeendence Act, =nterretation,
=nter8ener, =ss+e Writ, )+risdiction, 3a5s =nconsistent, 3e&is!ation, 3e&is!ati8e Action,
3e&is!ati8e (o+nci!, 3e&is!ati8e Po5er, 3i0ert/, 3itera! (onstr+ction, *anda2+s, Nint,
9c,ed+!e, Oat,, Par!ia2ent, Par!ia2ent to A2end t,e (onstit+tion, Part =7, Part 7, P!enar/
Po5er, Po5er of Par!ia2ent, Po5er to =ss+e (ertain Writ, Po5ers of 3e&is!ation, Pri8i!e&e,
Pri8/ (o+nci!, Pro,i0ition, 6+o Warranto, "easona0!e "estriction, "easona0!eness,
"e&+!ation, "e2edies, "e2edies for :nforce2ent, "e2edies for :nforce2ent of "i&,t,
"e2ed/, "e2o8e Diffic+!ties, "eea!, "eea!ed, "eresentation, "i&,t to *o8e, "i&,ts
(onferred, "/ot5ari 9ett!e2ent, 9e8enteent, A2end2ent, 9e8ent, 9c,ed+!e, 9o8erei&n,
9o8erei&nt/, 9ecia! Proced+re, 9tate 3e&is!at+re, 9+sension of 4+nda2enta! "i&,t,
<erritor/ of =ndia, <,e :;ec+ti8e, >nion )+diciar/, 7a!idation
A%ts(R"es(O'#e's$
(onstit+tion of =ndia ?4irst A2end2ent@ Act, 1951 A Artic!e 31A and 31#B (onstit+tion of
=ndia ?4o+rt, A2end2ent@ Act, 1955B (onstit+tion of =ndia ?9e8ent, A2end2ent@ Act, 1964
A Artic!es 13?2@, 32, 226 and 368B =2+&ned Act
O)e''"e# ( Re)e'se# b*$
I.C. !la" Nath an# $rs. %s. State !& P'n(a) an# Anr.* +196,-2SC.,62
Case Note$
Constit"tion + )ai#it* of A%t + A'ti%es ,-A an# ,-. of Constit"tion of In#ia /Fi'st
A0en#0ent1 A%t2 -34-2 Constit"tion of In#ia /Fo"'th A0en#0ent1 A%t2 -344 an#
A'ti%es -, /512 ,52 556 an# ,67 of Constit"tion of In#ia /Se)enteenth A0en#0ent1 A%t2
-368 + Se)enteenth A0en#0ent A%t 9'ote%ts %e'tain A%ts 9asse# b* State :egisat"'es
b* in%"#ing the0 in Ninth S%he#"e "n#e' A'ti%e ,-. ;hi%h 0ight be assaie# b*
A'ti%es -82 -32 o' ,- + 9etitione's %haenge )ai#it* of Se)enteenth A0en#0ent A%t on
g'o"n# that it i<e* to affe%t 9o;e' 9'es%'ibe# b* A'ti%e 556 an# has not foo;e#
s9e%ia 9'o%e#"'e ai# #o;n in 9'o)iso to A'ti%e ,67 + s9e%ia 9'o%e#"'e "n#e' 9'o)iso
to A'ti%e ,67 is to be foo;e# ;hen 9a'ia0ent inten#s to a0en# an* of 9'o)isions of
Constit"tion %o)e'e# b* Ca"ses /a1 to /e1 in%"#ing 9'o)isions of A'ti%e 556 +
Pa'ia0ent see<s to a0en# f"n#a0enta 'ights soe* ;ith obje%t of 'e0o)ing an*
obsta%e in f"fi0ent of so%io e%ono0i% 9oi%* an# #oes not 9"'9o't to %hange
9'o)isions of A'ti%e 556 + S"9'e0e Co"'t he#2 A'ti%e 556 'e0ains "n%hange# an#
Se)enteenth A0en#0ent A%t is )ai#.
!UD=MENT
=ajen#'aga#<a'2 C.!.
1. <,ese si; 5rit etitions 5,ic, ,a8e 0een fi!ed +nder Art. 32 of t,e (onstit+tion, see' to
c,a!!en&e t,e 8a!idit/ of t,e (onstit+tion ?1Ct, A2end2ent@ Act, 1964. <,e etitioners are
affected 0/ one or t,e ot,er of t,e Acts added to t,e 9t, 9c,ed+!e 0/ t,e i2+&ned Act, and
t,eir contention is t,at t,e i2+&ned Act 0ein& constit+tiona!!/ in8a!id, t,e 8a!idit/ of t,e
Acts 0/ 5,ic, t,e/ are affected cannot 0e sa8ed. 9o2e ot,er arties 5,o are si2i!ar!/
affected 0/ ot,er Acts added to t,e 9t, 9c,ed+!e 0/ t,e i2+&ned Act, ,a8e inter8ened at t,e
,earin& of t,ese 5rit etitions, and t,e/ ,a8e %oined t,e etitioners in contendin& t,at t,e
i2+&ned Act is in8a!id. <,e oints raised in t,e resent roceedin&s ,a8e 0een e!a0orate!/
ar&+ed 0efore +s 0/ *r. 9eta!8ad and *r. Pat,a' for t,e inter8eners and *r. *ani for t,e
etitioners. We ,a8e a!so ,eard t,e Attorne/ $enera! in re!/.
2. <,e i2+&ned Act consists of t,ree sections. <,e first section &i8es its s,ort tit!e. 9ection
2?i@ adds a ro8iso to c!a+se ?1@ of Art. 31A after t,e e;istin& ro8iso. <,is ro8iso reads t,+s
:
DPro8ided f+rt,er t,at 5,ere an/ !a5 2a'es an/ ro8ision for t,e ac1+isition 0/ t,e 9tate of
an/ estate and 5,ere an/ !and co2rised t,erein is ,e!d 0/ a erson +nder ,is ersona!
c+!ti8ation, it s,a!! not 0e !a5f+! for t,e 9tate to ac1+ire an/ ortion of s+c, !and as is 5it,in
t,e cei!in& !i2it a!ica0!e to ,i2 +nder an/ !a5 for t,e ti2e 0ein& in force or an/ 0+i!din& or
str+ct+re standin& t,ereon or a+rtenant t,ereto, +n!ess t,e !a5 re!atin& to t,e ac1+isition of
s+c, !and, 0+i!din& or str+ct+re, ro8ides for a/2ent of co2ensation at a rate 5,ic, s,a!!
not 0e !ess t,an t,e 2ar'et 8a!+e t,ereofD.
3. 9ection 2?ii@ s+0stit+tes t,e fo!!o5in& s+0Ac!a+se for s+0Ac!a+se ?a@ of c!a+se ?2@ of Art.
31A :A
D?a@ t,e e;ression DestateD s,a!!, in re!ation to an/ !oca! area, ,a8e t,e sa2e 2eanin& as t,at
e;ression or its !oca! e1+i8a!ent ,as in t,e e;istin& !a5 re!atin& to !and ten+res in force in
t,at area and s,a!! a!so inc!+de A
?i@ an/ %a&ir, ina2 or 2+afi or ot,er si2i!ar &rant and in t,e 9tates of *adras and -era!a, an/
%an2a2, ri&,tB
?ii@ an/ !and ,e!d +nder r/ot5ari sett!e2entB
?iii@ an/ !and ,e!d or !et for +roses of a&ric+!t+re or for +roses anci!!ar/ t,ereto,
inc!+din& 5aste !and, forest !and, !and for ast+re or sites of 0+i!din&s and ot,er str+ct+res
occ+ied 0/ c+!ti8ators of !and, a&ric+!t+ra! !a0o+rers and 8i!!a&e artisansD.
4. 9ection 3 a2ends t,e 9t, 9c,ed+!e 0/ addin& 44 entries to it. <,at is t,e nat+re of t,e
ro8isions contained in t,e i2+&ned A2end2ent Act.
5. =n dea!in& 5it, t,e 1+estion a0o+t t,e 8a!idit/ of t,e i2+&ned Act, it is necessar/ to
consider t,e scoe and effect of t,e ro8isions contained in Art. 368 of t,e (onstit+tion,
0eca+se a !ar&e art of t,e contro8ers/ in t,e resent 5rit etitions t+rns +on t,e decision of
t,e 1+estion as to 5,at t,e tr+e scoe and effect of Art. 368 is. 3et +s read Art. 368 :
D368. An a2end2ent of t,is (onstit+tion 2a/ 0e initiated on!/ 0/ t,e introd+ction of a #i!!
for t,e +rose in eit,er .o+se of Par!ia2ent, and 5,en t,e #i!! is assed in eac, .o+se 0/ a
2a%orit/ of t,e tota! 2e20ers,i of t,at .o+se and 0/ a 2a%orit/ of not !ess t,an t5oAt,irds
of t,e 2e20ers of t,at .o+se resent and 8otin&, it s,a!! 0e resented to t,e President for ,is
assent and +on s+c, assent 0ein& &i8en to t,e #i!!, t,e (onstit+tion s,a!! stand a2ended in
accordance 5it, t,e ter2s of t,e #i!! :
Pro8ided t,at if s+c, a2end2ent see's to 2a'e an/ c,an&e in A
?a@ Artic!e 54, Artic!e 55, Artic!e C3, Artic!e 162 or Artic!e 241, or
?0@ (,ater =7 of Part 7, (,ater 7 of Part 7=, or (,ater = of Part E=, or
?c@ an/ of t,e 3ists in t,e 9e8ent, 9c,ed+!e, or
?d@ t,e reresentation of 9tates in Par!ia2ent, or
?e@ t,e ro8isions of t,is Artic!e,
t,e a2end2ent s,a!! a!so re1+ire to 0e ratified 0/ t,e 3e&is!at+res of not !ess t,an oneA,a!f of
t,e 9tates 0/ reso!+tions to t,at effect assed 0/ t,ose 3e&is!at+res 0efore t,e #i!! 2a'in&
ro8ision for s+c, a2end2ent is resented to t,e President for assentD.
6. =t 5o+!d, t,+s, aear t,at t,e 0road sc,e2e of Art. 368 is t,at if Par!ia2ent rooses to
a2end an/ ro8ision of t,e (onstit+tion not ens,rined in t,e ro8iso, t,e roced+re
rescri0ed 0/ t,e 2ain art of t,e Artic!e ,as to 0e fo!!o5ed. <,e #i!! introd+ced for t,e
+rose of 2a'in& t,e a2end2ent in 1+estion, ,as to 0e assed in eac, .o+se 0/ a 2a%orit/
of t,e tota! 2e20ers,i of t,at .o+se and 0/ a 2a%orit/ of not !ess t,an t5oAt,irds of t,e
2e20ers of t,at .o+se resent and 8otin&. <,is re1+ire2ent ost+!ates t,at a 0i!! see'in& to
a2end t,e re!e8ant ro8isions of t,e (onstit+tion s,o+!d recei8e s+0stantia! s+ort fro2
2e20ers of 0ot, t,e .o+ses. <,at is 5,/ a t5oAfo!d re1+ire2ent ,as 0een rescri0ed in t,at
0e,a!f. After t,e 0i!! is assed as aforesaid, it ,as to 0e resented to t,e President for ,is
assent and 5,en ,e &i8es ,is assent, t,e (onstit+tion s,a!! stand a2ended in accordance 5it,
t,e ter2s of t,e 0i!!. <,at is t,e osition in re&ard to t,e a2end2ent of t,e ro8isions of t,e
(onstit+tion to 5,ic, t,e ro8iso does not a!/.
C. =f Par!ia2ent intends to a2end an/ of t,e ro8isions of t,e (onstit+tion 5,ic, are co8ered
0/ c!a+ses ?a@ to ?e@ of t,e ro8iso, t,ere is a f+rt,er re1+ire2ent 5,ic, ,as to 0e satisfied
0efore t,e 0i!! can 0e resented to t,e President for ,is assent. 9+c, a 0i!! is re1+ired to 0e
ratified 0/ t,e 3e&is!at+res of not !ess t,an oneA,a!f of t,e 9tates 0/ "eso!+tions to t,at effect
assed 0/ t,e2. =n ot,er 5ords, in resect of t,e Artic!es co8ered 0/ t,e ro8iso, t,e f+rt,er
safe&+ard rescri0ed 0/ t,e ro8iso is t,at t,e intended a2end2ent s,o+!d recei8e t,e
aro8a! of t,e 3e&is!at+res of not !ess t,an oneA,a!f of t,e 9tates. <,at 2eans t,at at !east
,a!f of t,e 9tates constit+tin& t,e >nion of =ndia s,o+!d 0/ a 2a%orit/ 8ote, aro8e of t,e
roosed a2end2ent.
8. =t is o08io+s t,at t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts ens,rined in Part === are not inc!+ded in t,e
ro8iso, and so, if Par!ia2ent intends to a2end an/ of t,e ro8isions contained in Artic!es 12
to 35 5,ic, are inc!+ded in Part ===, it is not necessar/ to ta'e reco+rse to t,e ro8iso and to
satisf/ t,e additiona! re1+ire2ents rescri0ed 0/ it. <,+s far, t,ere is no diffic+!t/. #+t in
considerin& t,e scoe of Art. 368, it is necessar/ to re2e20er t,at Art. 226, 5,ic, is
inc!+ded in (,ater 7 of Part 7= of t,e (onstit+tion, is one of t,e constit+tiona! ro8isions
5,ic, fa!! +nder c!a+se ?0@ of t,e ro8isoB and so, it is c!ear t,at if Par!ia2ent intends to
a2end t,e ro8isions of Art. 226, t,e 0i!! roosin& to 2a'e s+c, an a2end2ent 2+st satisf/
t,e re1+ire2ents of t,e ro8iso. <,e 1+estion 5,ic, ca!!s for o+r decision is : 5,at 5o+!d 0e
t,e re1+ire2ent a0o+t 2a'in& an a2end2ent in a constit+tiona! ro8ision contained in Part
===, if as a res+!t of t,e said a2end2ent, t,e o5ers conferred on t,e .i&, (o+rts +nder Art.
226 are !i'e!/ to 0e affected F <,e etitioners contend t,at since it aears t,at t,e o5ers
rescri0ed 0/ Art. 226 are !i'e!/ to 0e affected 0/ t,e intended a2end2ent of t,e ro8isions
contained in Part ===, t,e 0i!! introd+ced for t,e +rose of 2a'in& s+c, an a2end2ent, 2+st
attract t,e ro8iso, and as t,e i2+&ned Act ,as ad2itted!/ not &one t,ro+&, t,e roced+re
rescri0ed 0/ t,e ro8iso, it is in8a!idB and t,at raises t,e 1+estion a0o+t t,e constr+ction of
t,e ro8isions contained in Art. 368 and t,e re!ation 0et5een t,e s+0stanti8e art of Art. 368
5it, its ro8iso.
9. =n o+r oinion, t,e t5o arts of Art. 368 2+st on a reasona0!e constr+ction 0e ,ar2onised
5it, eac, ot,er in t,e sense t,at t,e scoe and effect of eit,er of t,e2 s,o+!d not 0e a!!o5ed
to 0e +nd+!/ red+ced or en!ar&ed. =t is +r&ed t,at an/ a2end2ent of t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts
contained in Part === 5o+!d ine8ita0!/ affect t,e o5ers of t,e .i&, (o+rt, rescri0ed 0/ Art.
226, and as s+c,, t,e 0i!! roosin& t,e said a2end2ent cannot fa!! +nder t,e ro8isoB
ot,er5ise t,e 8er/ o0%ect of not inc!+din& Part === +nder t,e ro8iso 5o+!d 0e defeated. W,en
t,e (onstit+tionA2a'ers did not inc!+de Part === +nder t,e ro8iso, it 5o+!d 0e reasona0!e to
ass+2e t,at t,e/ too' t,e 8ie5 t,at t,e a2end2ent of t,e ro8isions contained in Part === 5as
a 2atter 5,ic, s,o+!d 0e dea!t 5it, 0/ Par!ia2ent +nder t,e s+0stanti8e ro8isions of Art.
368 and not +nder t,e ro8iso. =t ,as no do+0t 0een s+&&ested t,at t,e (onstit+tionA2a'ers
er,as did not anticiate t,at t,ere 5o+!d 0e 2an/ occasions to a2end t,e f+nda2enta!
ri&,ts &+aranteed 0/ Part ===. .o5e8er t,at 2a/ 0e, as a 2atter of constr+ction, t,ere is no
escae fro2 t,e conc!+sion t,at Art. 368 ro8ides for t,e a2end2ent of t,e ro8isions
contained in Part === 5it,o+t i2osin& on Par!ia2ent on o0!i&ation to adot t,e roced+re
rescri0ed 0/ t,e ro8iso. =t is tr+e t,at as a res+!t of t,e a2end2ent of t,e f+nda2enta!
ri&,ts, t,e area o8er 5,ic, t,e o5ers rescri0ed 0/ Art. 226 5o+!d oerate 2a/ 0e red+ced,
0+t aarent!/, t,e (onstit+tionA2a'ers too' t,e 8ie5 t,at t,e di2in+tion in t,e area o8er
5,ic, t,e .i&, (o+rtsG o5ers +nder Art. 226 oerate, 5o+!d not necessari!/ ta'e t,e case
+nder t,e ro8iso.
10. On t,e ot,er ,and, if t,e s+0stanti8e art of Art. 368 is 8er/ !i0era!!/ and &enero+s!/
constr+ed and it is ,e!d t,at e8en s+0stantia! 2odification of t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts 5,ic,
2a/ 2a'e a 8er/ serio+s and s+0stantia! inroad on t,e o5ers of t,e .i&, (o+rts +nder Art.
226 can 0e 2ade 5it,o+t in8o'in& t,e ro8iso, it 2a/ deri8e c!a+se ?0@ of t,e ro8iso of its
s+0stance. =n ot,er 5ords, in constr+in& 0ot, t,e arts of Art. 368, t,e r+!e of ,ar2onio+s
constr+ction re1+ires t,at if t,e direct effect of t,e a2end2ent of f+nda2enta! ri&,ts is to
2a'e a s+0stantia! inroad on t,e .i&, (o+rtsG o5ers +nder Art. 226, it 5o+!d 0eco2e
necessar/ to consider 5,et,er t,e ro8iso 5o+!d co8er s+c, a case or not. =f t,e effect of t,e
a2end2ent 2ade in t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts on t,e o5ers of t,e .i&, (o+rts rescri0ed 0/
Art. 226, is indirect, incidenta!, or is ot,er5ise of an insi&nificant order, it 2a/ 0e t,at t,e
ro8iso 5i!! not a!/. <,e ro8iso 5o+!d a!/ 5,ere t,e a2end2ent in 1+estion see's to
2a'e an/ c,an&e, inter a!ia, in Art. 226, and t,e 1+estion in s+c, a case 5o+!d 0e : does t,e
a2end2ent see' to 2a'e a c,an&e in t,e ro8isions of Art. 226 F <,e ans5er to t,is 1+estion
5o+!d deend +on t,e effect of t,e a2end2ent 2ade in t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts.
11. =n dea!in& 5it, constit+tiona! 1+estions of t,is c,aracter, co+rts &enera!!/ adot a test
5,ic, is descri0ed as t,e it, and s+0stance test. =n Attorne/A$enera! for Ontario 8.
"eciroca! =ns+rers and ot,ers ?H1924I A.(. 328@, t,e Pri8/ (o+nci! 5as ca!!ed +on to
consider t,e 8a!idit/ of t,e "eciroca! =ns+rance Act, 1922 ?12 J 13 $eo. 5, Ont., c. 62@ and
s. 508c 5,ic, ,ad 0een added to t,e (ri2ina! (ode of (anada 0/ ss. C J 8 $eo. 5, c. 29
Do2. *r. )+stice D+ff, 5,o so'e for t,e Pri8/ (o+nci!, o0ser8ed t,at in an en1+ir/ !i'e t,e
one 5it, 5,ic, t,e Pri8/ (o+nci! 5as concerned in t,at case, Dit ,as 0een for2a!!/ !aid do5n
in %+d&2ents of t,is #oard, t,at in s+c, an in1+ir/ t,e (o+rts 2+st ascertain t,e Gtr+e nat+re
and c,aracterG of t,e enact2ent : (itiKensG =ns+rance (o. 8. Parsons ?H1881I C A. (as 96@B
its Git, and s+0stanceG : >nion (o!!ier/ (o. 8. #r/den ?H1899I A.(. 580@B and it is t,e res+!t
of t,is in8esti&ation, not t,e for2 a!one, 5,ic, t,e stat+te 2a/ ,a8e ass+2ed +nder t,e ,and
of t,e dra+&,ts2an, t,at 5i!! deter2ine 5it,in 5,ic, of t,e cate&ories of s+0%ect 2atters
2entioned in ss. 91 and 92 t,e !e&is!ation fa!!sB and for t,is +rose t,e !e&is!ation 2+st 0e
Gscr+tinised in its entiret/G : D$reat West 9add!er/ (o. 8. <,e -in&D ?H1921I 2 A.(. 91,11C@. =t
is not necessar/ to 2+!ti!/ a+t,orities in s+ort of t,e roosition t,at in considerin& t,e
constit+tiona! 8a!idit/ of t,e i2+&ned Act, it 5o+!d 0e re!e8ant to in1+ire 5,at t,e it, and
s+0stance of t,e i2+&ned Act is. <,is !e&a! osition can 0e ta'en to 0e esta0!is,ed 0/ t,e
decisions of t,is (o+rt 5,ic, ,a8e consistent!/ adoted t,e 8ie5 e;ressed 0/ )+stice D+ff,
to 5,ic, 5e ,a8e %+st referred.
12. W,at t,en is t,e it, and s+0stance of t,e i2+&ned Act F 4or ans5erin& t,is 1+estion, it
5o+!d 0e necessar/ to reca!! 8er/ 0rief!/ t,e ,istor/ of Artic!es 31A and 31#. Artic!es 31A
and 31# 5ere added to t,e (onstit+tion 5it, retrosecti8e effect 0/ s. 4 of t,e (onstit+tion
?4irst A2end2ent@ Act, 1951. =t is a 2atter of &enera! 'no5!ed&e t,at it 0eca2e necessar/ to
add t,ese t5o ro8isions in t,e (onstit+tion, 0eca+se it 5as rea!ised t,at !e&is!ati8e 2eas+res
adoted 0/ certain 9tates for &i8in& effect to t,e o!ic/ of a&rarian refor2 5,ic, 5as
acceted 0/ t,e art/ in o5er, ,ad to face a serio+s c,a!!en&e in t,e co+rts of !a5 on t,e
&ro+nd t,at t,e/ contra8ened t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts &+aranteed to t,e citiKens 0/ Part ===.
<,ese 2eas+res ,ad 0een assed in #i,ar, >ttar Prades, and *ad,/a Prades,, and t,eir
8a!idit/ 5as i2eac,ed in t,e .i&, (o+rts in t,e said t,ree 9tates. <,e .i&, (o+rt of Patna
,e!d t,at t,e re!e8ant #i,ar !e&is!ation 5as +nconstit+tiona!, 5,i!st t,e .i&, (o+rts at
A!!a,a0ad and Na&+r +,e!d t,e 8a!idit/ of t,e corresondin& !e&is!ati8e 2eas+res assed in
>ttar Prades, and *ad,/a Prades, resecti8e!/. H9ee -a2es,5ar 8. 9tate of #i,ar ?A.=.".
1951 Pet 91@ and 9+r/a Pa! 8. >. P. $o8ern2ent MANU/UP/00/,/1951I. <,e arties
a&&rie8ed 0/ t,ese resecti8e decisions ,ad fi!ed aea!s 0/ secia! !ea8e 0efore t,e 9+re2e
(o+rt. At t,e sa2e ti2e, etitions ,ad a!so 0een referred 0efore t,e 9+re2e (o+rt +nder
Art. 32 0/ certain ot,er Ka2indars, see'in& t,e deter2ination of t,e sa2e iss+es. =t 5as at
t,is sta&e t,at Par!ia2ent t,o+&,t it necessar/ to a8oid t,e de!a/ 5,ic, 5o+!d necessari!/
,a8e 0een in8o!8ed in t,e fina! decision of t,e dis+tes endin& 0efore t,e 9+re2e (o+rt,
and introd+ced t,e re!e8ant a2end2ents in t,e (onstit+tion 0/ addin& Artic!es 31A and 31#.
<,at 5as t,e first ste ta'en 0/ Par!ia2ent to assist t,e rocess of !e&is!ation to 0rin& a0o+t
a&rarian refor2 0/ introd+cin& Artic!es 31A and 31#.
13. <,e second ste in t,e sa2e direction 5as ta'en 0/ Par!ia2ent in 1955 0/ a2endin& Art.
31A 0/ t,e (onstit+tion ?4o+rt, A2end2ent@ Act, 1955. <,e o0%ect of t,is a2end2ent 5as
to 5iden t,e scoe of a&rarian refor2 and to confer on t,e !e&is!ati8e 2eas+res adoted in
t,at 0e,a!f i22+nit/ fro2 a ossi0!e attac' t,at t,e/ contra8ened t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts of
citiKens. =n ot,er 5ords, t,is a2end2ent rotected t,e !e&is!ati8e 2eas+res in resect of
certain ot,er ite2s of a&rarian and socia! 5e!fare !e&is!ation, 5,ic, affected t,e rorietar/
ri&,ts of certain citiKens. <,at is ,o5 t,e second a2end2ent 5as 2ade 0/ Par!ia2ent. At t,e
ti2e 5,en t,e first a2end2ent 5as 2ade, Art. 31# e;ress!/ ro8ided t,at none of t,e Acts
and "e&+!ations secified in t,e 9t, 9c,ed+!e, nor an/ of t,e ro8isions t,ereof, s,a!! 0e
dee2ed to 0e 8oid or e8er to ,a8e 0eco2e 8oid on t,e &ro+nd t,at t,e/ 5ere inconsistent
5it, or too' a5a/ or a0rid&ed an/ of t,e ri&,ts conferred 0/ Part ===, and it added t,at
not5it,standin& an/ %+d&2ent, decree or order of an/ (o+rt or tri0+na! to t,e contrar/, eac,
of t,e said Acts and "e&+!ations s,a!! s+0%ect to t,e o5er of an/ co2etent !e&is!at+re to
reea! or a2end, contin+e in force. At t,is ti2e, 19 Acts 5ere !isted in 9c,ed+!e 9, and t,e/
5ere t,+s effecti8e!/ 8a!idated. One 2ore Act 5as added to t,is !ist 0/ t,e A2end2ent Act
of 1955, so t,at as a res+!t of t,e second a2end2ent, t,e 9c,ed+!e contained 20 Acts 5,ic,
5ere 8a!idated.
14. =t aears t,at not5it,standin& t,ese a2end2ents, certain ot,er !e&is!ati8e 2eas+res
adoted 0/ different 9tates for t,e +rose of &i8in& effect to t,e a&rarian o!ic/ of t,e art/
in o5er, 5ere effecti8e!/ c,a!!en&ed. 4or instance, in -ari20i! -+n,i'o2an 8. 9tate of
-era!a ?H1962I 9+. 1 9.(.". 829@, t,e 8a!idit/ of t,e -era!a A&rarian "e!ations Act ?=7 of
1961@ 5as c,a!!en&ed 0/ 5rit etitions fi!ed +nder Art. 32, and as a res+!t of t,e 2a%orit/
decision of t,is (o+rt, t,e 5,o!e Act 5as str+c' do5n. <,is decision 5as rono+nced on
Dece20er 5, 1961.
15. =n A. P. -ris,nas5a2i Naid+, etc. 8. <,e 9tate of *adras H1964I C 9.(. ". 82@ t,e
constit+tiona!it/ of t,e *adras 3and "efor2s ?4i;ation of (ei!in& on 3and@ Act ?No. 58 of
1961@ 5as +t in iss+e, and 0/ t,e decision of t,is (o+rt rono+nced on *arc, 9, 1964, it
5as dec!ared t,at t,e 5,o!e Act 5as in8a!id. =t aears t,at t,e "a%ast,an <enanc/ Act === of
1955 and t,e *a,aras,tra A&ric+!t+ra! 3ands ?(ei!in& and .o!din&s@ Act 2C of 1961 ,a8e
0een si2i!ar!/ dec!ared in8a!id, and in conse1+ence, Par!ia2ent t,o+&,t it necessar/ to 2a'e
a f+rt,er a2end2ent in Art. 31# so as to sa8e t,e 8a!idit/ of t,ese Acts 5,ic, ,ad 0een
str+c' do5n and of ot,er si2i!ar Acts 5,ic, 5ere !i'e!/ to 0e str+c' do5n, if c,a!!en&ed.
Wit, t,at o0%ect in 8ie5, t,e i2+&ned Act ,as enacted s. 3 0/ 5,ic, 44 Acts ,a8e 0een
added to 9c,ed+!e 9. =f t,e i2+&ned Act is ,e!d to 0e 8a!id and t,e a2end2ent 2ade in t,e
9c,ed+!e is fo+nd to 0e effecti8e, t,ese 44 Acts 5o+!d ,a8e to 0e treated as 8a!id.
16. <,+s, it 5o+!d 0e seen t,at t,e &enesis of t,e a2end2ents 2ade 0/ Par!ia2ent in 1951 0/
addin& Artic!es 31A and 31# to t,e (onstit+tion, c!ear!/ is to assist t,e 9tate 3e&is!at+res in
t,is co+ntr/ to &i8e effect to t,e econo2ic o!ic/ in 5,ic, t,e art/ in o5er assionate!/
0e!ie8es to 0rin& a0o+t 2+c, needed a&rarian refor2. =t is 5it, t,e sa2e o0%ect t,at t,e
second a2end2ent 5as 2ade 0/ Par!ia2ent in 1955, and as 5e ,a8e %+st indicated, t,e
o0%ect +nder!/in& t,e a2end2ent 2ade 0/ t,e i2+&ned Act is a!so t,e sa2e. Par!ia2ent
desires t,at a&rarian refor2 in a 0road and co2re,ensi8e sense 2+st 0e introd+ced in t,e
interests of a 8er/ !ar&e section of =ndian citiKens 5,o !i8e in 8i!!a&es and 5,ose financia!
rosects are inte&ra!!/ connected 5it, t,e +rs+it of ro&ressi8e a&rarian o!ic/. <,+s, if t,e
it, and s+0stance test is a!ied to t,e a2end2ent 2ade 0/ t,e i2+&ned Act, it 5o+!d 0e
c!ear t,at Par!ia2ent is see'in& to a2end f+nda2enta! ri&,ts so!e!/ 5it, t,e o0%ect of
re2o8in& an/ ossi0!e o0stac!e in t,e f+!fi!2ent of t,e socioAecono2ic o!ic/ in 5,ic, t,e
art/ in o5er 0e!ie8es. =f t,at 0e so, t,e effect of t,e a2end2ent on t,e area o8er 5,ic, t,e
.i&, (o+rtsG o5ers rescri0ed 0/ Art. 226 oerate, is incidenta! and in t,e resent case can
0e descri0ed as of an insi&nificant order. <,e i2+&ned Act does not +rort to c,an&e t,e
ro8isions of Art. 226 and it cannot 0e said e8en to ,a8e t,at effect direct!/ or in an/
arecia0!e 2eas+re. <,at is 5,/ 5e t,in' t,at t,e ar&+2ent t,at t,e i2+&ned Act fa!!s
+nder t,e ro8iso, cannot 0e s+stained. =t is an Act t,e o0%ect of 5,ic, is to a2end t,e
re!e8ant Artic!es in Part === 5,ic, confer f+nda2enta! ri&,ts on citiKens and as s+c, it fa!!s
+nder t,e s+0stanti8e art of Art. 368 and does not attract t,e ro8isions of c!a+se ?0@ of t,e
ro8iso. =f t,e effect of t,e a2end2ent 2ade in t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts on Art. 226 is direct
and not incidenta! and is of a 8er/ si&nificant order, different considerations 2a/ er,as
arise. #+t in t,e resent case, t,ere is no occasion to entertain or 5ei&, t,e said
considerations. <,erefore t,e 2ain contention raised 0/ t,e etitioners and t,e inter8eners
a&ainst t,e 8a!idit/ of t,e i2+&ned Act 2+st 0e re%ected.
1C. <,en, it is +r&ed t,at t,e tr+e +rose and o0%ect of t,e i2+&ned Act is to !e&is!ate in
resect of !and, and !e&is!ation in resect of !and fa!!s 5it,in t,e %+risdiction of t,e 9tate
3e&is!at+res +nder :ntr/ 18 of 3ist ==. <,e ar&+2ent is t,at since t,e 9tate 3e&is!at+res a!one
can 2a'e !a5s in resect of !and, Par!ia2ent ,ad no ri&,t to ass t,e i2+&ned Act. <,is
ar&+2ent is 0ased on t,e ass+2tion t,at t,e i2+&ned Act +rorts to 0e, and in fact is, a
iece of !and !e&is!ation. <,e sa2e ar&+2ent is !aced 0efore +s in anot,er for2. =t is +r&ed
t,at t,e sc,e2e of Artic!es 245 and 246 of t,e (onstit+tion c!ear!/ s,o5s t,at Par!ia2ent ,as
no ri&,t to 2a'e a !a5 in resect of !and, and since t,e i2+&ned Act is a !e&is!ati8e 2eas+re
in re!ation to !and, it is in8a!id. <,is ar&+2ent, in o+r oinion, is 2isconcei8ed. =n dea!in&
5it, t,is ar&+2ent, a&ain, t,e it, and s+0stance test is re!e8ant. W,at t,e i2+&ned Act
+rorts to do is not to 2a'e an/ !and !e&is!ation 0+t to rotect and 8a!idate t,e !e&is!ati8e
2eas+res in resect of a&rarian refor2s assed 0/ t,e different 9tate 3e&is!at+res in t,e
co+ntr/ 0/ &rantin& t,e2 i22+nit/ fro2 attac' 0ased on t,e !ea t,at t,e/ contra8ene
f+nda2enta! ri&,ts. Par!ia2ent, in enactin& t,e i2+&ned Act, 5as not 2a'in& an/
ro8isions of !and !e&is!ation. =t 5as 2ere!/ 8a!idatin& !and !e&is!ations a!read/ assed 0/ t,e
9tate 3e&is!at+res in t,at 0e,a!f.
18. =t is a!so +r&ed t,at inas2+c, as t,e i2+&ned Act +rorts in s+0stance to set aside t,e
decisions of co+rts of co2etent %+risdiction 0/ 5,ic, so2e of t,e Acts added to t,e Nint,
9c,ed+!e ,a8e 0een dec!ared to 0e in8a!id, it is +nconstit+tiona!. We see no s+0stance in t,is
ar&+2ent. =t is ,ard!/ necessar/ to e2,asiKe t,at !e&is!ati8e o5er to 2a'e !a5s in resect
of areas entr+sted to t,e !e&is!ati8e %+risdiction of different !e&is!ati8e 0odies, can 0e
e;ercised 0ot, rosecti8e!/ and retrosecti8e!/. <,e constit+ent o5er conferred 0/ Art.
368 on t,e Par!ia2ent can a!so 0e e;ercised 0ot, rosecti8e!/ and retrosecti8e!/. On
se8era! occasions, !e&is!at+res t,in' it necessar/ to 8a!idate !a5s 5,ic, ,a8e 0een dec!ared to
0e in8a!id 0/ (o+rts of co2etent %+risdiction and in so doin&, t,e/ ,a8e necessari!/ to
ro8ide for t,e intended 8a!idation to ta'e effect not5it,standin& an/ %+d&2ent, decree or
order assed 0/ a co+rt of co2etent %+risdiction to t,e contrar/. <,erefore, it 5o+!d 0e id!e
to contend t,at 0/ 2a'in& t,e a2end2ent retrosecti8e, t,e i2+&ned Act ,as 0eco2e
constit+tiona!!/ in8a!id.
19. =t ,as a!so 0een contended 0efore +s t,at in decidin& t,e 1+estion as to 5,et,er t,e
i2+&ned Act fa!!s +nder t,e ro8iso, 5e s,o+!d ta'e into acco+nt t,e oerati8e 5ords in t,e
ro8iso. <,e ro8iso ta'es in cases 5,ere t,e a2end2ent so+&,t to 0e 2ade 0/ t,e re!e8ant
0i!! see's to 2a'e an/ c,an&e in an/ of t,e Artic!es secified in c!a+ses ?a@ to ?e@ of t,e
ro8iso, and it is +r&ed t,at on a fair readin& of c!a+ses ?0@ and ?c@, it 5o+!d fo!!o5 t,at t,e
i2+&ned Act +rorts to do not,in& e!se 0+t to see' to a2end t,e ro8isions contained in
Art. 226. =t is not eas/ to areciate t,e stren&t, or 8a!idit/ of t,is ar&+2ent. <,is ar&+2ent
is rea!!/ 0ased on ass+2tion t,at t,e !e&is!ati8e 2ec,anis2 adoted 0/ t,e Par!ia2ent in
assin& t,e i2+&ned Act introd+ces t,is infir2it/. <,e ar&+2ent o08io+s!/ ass+2es t,at it
5o+!d ,a8e 0een oen to Par!ia2ent to 2a'e aroriate c,an&es in t,e different Artic!es of
Part ===, s+c, as Artic!es 14 and 19, and if s+c, a co+rse ,ad 0een adoted, t,e i2+&ned Act
5o+!d ,a8e 0een constit+tiona!!/ 8a!id. #+t inas2+c, as t,e i2+&ned Act +rorts to a2end
on!/ Arts. 31A and 31# and see's to add se8era! Acts to t,e Nint, 9c,ed+!e, it does not
a2end an/ of t,e ro8isions in Part ===, 0+t is 2a'in& an indeendent ro8ision, and t,at, it is
said, 2+st ta'e t,e case 5it,in t,e scoe of t,e ro8iso. =t is c!ear t,at 5,at t,e i2+&ned Act
+rorts to do is to a2end Art. 31A, and Artic!e 31A itse!f is inc!+ded in Part ===. =f
Par!ia2ent t,o+&,t t,at instead of adotin& t,e c+20erso2e rocess of a2endin& eac,
re!e8ant Artic!e in Part ===, it 5o+!d 0e 2ore aroriate to add Artic!es 31A and 31#, and on
t,at 0asis, it assed t,e 2ateria! ro8isions of t,e (onstit+tion ?4irst A2end2ent@ Act, it
5o+!d not 0e reasona0!e to s+&&est t,at t,is 2et,od 0rin&s t,e a2end2ent 5it,in t,e
ro8iso. W,at t,e Par!ia2ent did in 1951, ,as afforded a 8a!id 0asis for f+rt,er a2end2ents
2ade in 1955 and no5 in 1964. =t 5o+!d 0e c!ear t,at t,o+&, t,e ar&+2ents 5,ic, ,a8e 0een
+r&ed 0efore +s in t,e resent roceedin&s ,a8e 0een +t in different for2s, 0asica!!/, t,e/
in8o!8e t,e consideration of t,e 2ain 1+estion 5,et,er t,e i2+&ned Act fa!!s 5it,in t,e
scoe of t,e ro8iso or notB and t,e ans5er to t,is 1+estion, in o+r oinion, ,as to 0e a&ainst
t,e etitioners 0/ t,e a!ication of t,e doctrine of it, and s+0stance.
20. <,en, it is +r&ed t,at t,e o5er to a2end, 5,ic, is conferred 0/ Art. 368, does not
inc!+de t,e o5er to ta'e a5a/ t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts &+aranteed 0/ Part ===. <,e contention
is t,at t,e res+!t of t,e 2ateria! ro8isions of t,e i2+&ned Act is to ta'e a5a/ a citiKenGs
ri&,t to c,a!!en&e t,e 8a!idit/ of t,e Acts added to t,e Nint, 9c,ed+!e, and t,at 2eans t,at in
resect of t,e said Acts, t,e re!e8ant f+nda2enta! ri&,ts of t,e citiKens are ta'en a5a/. We do
not t,in' t,ere is an/ s+0stance in t,is ar&+2ent. =t is tr+e t,at t,e dictionar/ 2eanin& of t,e
5ord Da2endD is to correct a fa+!t or refor2B 0+t in t,e conte;t, re!iance on t,e dictionar/
2eanin& of t,e 5ord is sin&+!ar!/ inaroriate, 0eca+se 5,at Art. 368 a+t,orises to 0e done
is t,e a2end2ent of t,e ro8isions of t,e (onstit+tion. =t is 5e!!A'no5n t,at t,e a2end2ent
of a !a5 2a/ in a roer case inc!+de t,e de!etion of an/ one or 2ore of t,e ro8isions of t,e
!a5 and s+0stit+tion in t,eir !ace of ne5 ro8isions. 9i2i!ar!/, an a2end2ent of t,e
(onstit+tion 5,ic, is t,e s+0%ect 2atter of t,e o5er conferred 0/ Art. 368, 2a/ inc!+de
2odification or c,an&e of t,e ro8isions or e8en an a2end2ent 5,ic, 2a'es t,e said
ro8isions ina!ica0!e in certain cases. <,e o5er to a2end in t,e conte;t is a 8er/ 5ide
o5er and it cannot 0e contro!!ed 0/ t,e !itera! dictionar/ 2eanin& of t,e 5ord Da2endD.
21. <,e 1+estion a0o+t t,e 8a!idit/ of t,e (onstit+tion ?4irst A2end2ent@ Act ,as 0een
considered 0/ t,is (o+rt in 9ri 9an'ari Prasad 9in&, Deo 8. >nion of =ndia and 9tate of #i,ar
?H1952I 9.(. ". 89@. =n t,at case, t,e 8a!idit/ of t,e said A2end2ent Act 5as c,a!!en&ed on
se8era! &ro+nds. One of t,e &ro+nds 5as t,at t,e ne5!/ inserted Artic!es 31A and 31# so+&,t
to 2a'e c,an&es in Artic!es 132 and 136 in (,ater =7 of Part 7 and Art. 226 in (,ater 7
of Part 7=, and so, t,e/ re1+ired ratification +nder c!a+se ?0@ of t,e ro8iso to Art. 368. <,is
contention 5as re%ected 0/ t,is (o+rt. Patan%a!i 9astri )., as ,e t,en 5as, 5,o so'e for t,e
+nani2o+s (o+rt, o0ser8ed t,at t,e said Artic!es Ddid not eit,er in ter2s or in effect see' to
2a'e an/ c,an&e in Art. 226 or in Artic!es 132 and 136D, and ,e added t,at it 5as not correct
to sa/ t,at t,e o5ers of t,e .i&, (o+rts +nder Art. 226 to iss+e 5rits for t,e enforce2ent of
an/ of t,e ri&,ts conferred 0/ Part === or of t,is (o+rt +nder Artic!es 132 and 136 to entertain
aea!s fro2 orders iss+in& or ref+sin& to iss+e s+c, 5rits 5ere in an/ 5a/ affected. =n t,e
oinion of t,e (o+rt, t,e said o5ers re2ained %+st t,e sa2e as t,e/ 5ere 0eforeB on!/ a
certain c!ass of cases ,ad 0een e;c!+ded fro2 t,e +r8ie5 of Part ===. <,e fact t,at t,e co+rts
co+!d not e;ercise t,eir o5ers in resect of t,e said c!ass of cases, did not s,o5 t,at t,e
o5ers of t,e co+rts 5ere c+rtai!ed in an/ 5a/ or to an/ e;tent. =t on!/ 2eant t,at certain
area of cases in 5,ic, t,e said o5ers co+!d ,a8e 0een e;ercised, ,ad 0een 5it,dra5n.
9i2i!ar!/, t,e ar&+2ent t,at t,e a2end2ents 5ere in8a!id 0eca+se t,e/ re!ated to !e&is!ation
in resect of !and, 5as a!so re%ected on t,e &ro+nd t,at t,e i2+&ned Artic!es 31A and 31#
5ere essentia!!/ a2end2ents of t,e (onstit+tion 5,ic, Par!ia2ent a!one ,ad t,e o5er to
2a'e.
22. =t 5o+!d t,+s aear t,at in s+0stance t,e oints +r&ed 0efore +s in t,e resent
roceedin&s are rea!!/ conc!+ded 0/ t,e decision of t,is (o+rt in 9an'ari PrasadGs case
?H1952I 9.(.". 89@. =t 5as, ,o5e8er, +r&ed 0efore +s d+rin& t,e co+rse of t,e ,earin& of t,ese
5rit etitions t,at 5e s,o+!d reconsider t,e 2atter and re8ie5 o+r ear!ier decision in 9an'ari
PrasadGs case. =t is tr+e t,at t,e (onstit+tion does not !ace an/ restriction on o+r o5ers to
re8ie5 o+r ear!ier decisions or e8en to deart fro2 t,e2 and t,ere can 0e no do+0t t,at in
2atters re!atin& to t,e decision of constit+tiona! oints 5,ic, ,a8e a si&nificant i2act on t,e
f+nda2enta! ri&,ts of citiKens, 5e 5o+!d 0e reared to re8ie5 o+r ear!ier decisions in t,e
interest of +0!ic &ood. <,e doctrine of stare decisis 2a/ not strict!/ a!/ in t,is conte;t and
no one can dis+te t,e osition t,at t,e said doctrine s,o+!d not 0e er2itted to eret+ate
erroneo+s decisions rono+nced 0/ t,is (o+rt to t,e detri2ent of &enera! 5e!fare. :8en so,
t,e nor2a! rinci!e t,at %+d&2ents rono+nced 0/ t,is (o+rt 5o+!d 0e fina!, cannot 0e
i&nored and +n!ess considerations of a s+0stantia! and co2e!!in& c,aracter 2a'e it necessar/
to do so, 5e s,o+!d 0e s!o5 to do+0t t,e correctness of re8io+s decisions or to deart fro2
t,e2.
23. =t is +ni8ersa!!/ reco&nised t,at in re&ard to a !ar&e n+20er of constit+tiona! ro0!e2s
5,ic, are 0ro+&,t 0efore t,is (o+rt for its decision, co2!e; and diffic+!t 1+estions arise and
on 2an/ of s+c, 1+estions, t5o 8ie5s are ossi0!e. <,erefore, if one 8ie5 ,as 0een ta'en 0/
t,is (o+rt after 2at+re de!i0eration, t,e fact t,at anot,er #enc, is inc!ined to ta'e a different
8ie5 2a/ not %+stif/ t,e (o+rt in reconsiderin& t,e ear!ier decision or in deartin& fro2 it.
<,e ro0!e2 of constr+in& constit+tiona! ro8isions cannot 0e reasona0!/ so!8ed 2ere!/ 0/
adotin& a !itera! constr+ction of t,e 5ords +sed in t,e re!e8ant ro8isions. <,e (onstit+tion
is an or&anic doc+2ent and it is intended to ser8e as a &+ide to t,e so!+tion of c,an&in&
ro0!e2s 5,ic, t,e (o+rt 2a/ ,a8e to face fro2 ti2e to ti2e. Nat+ra!!/, in a ro&ressi8e and
d/na2ic societ/ t,e s,ae and aearance of t,ese ro0!e2s are 0o+nd to c,an&e 5it, t,e
ine8ita0!e conse1+ence t,at t,e re!e8ant 5ords +sed in t,e (onstit+tion 2a/ a!so c,an&e t,eir
2eanin& and si&nificance. <,at is 5,at 2a'es t,e tas' of dea!in& 5it, constit+tiona!
ro0!e2s d/na2ic rat,er t,an static. :8en so, t,e (o+rt s,o+!d 0e re!+ctant to accede to t,e
s+&&estion t,at its ear!ier decisions s,o+!d 0e !i&,tA,earted!/ re8ie5ed and dearted fro2. =n
s+c, a case t,e test s,o+!d 0e : is it a0so!+te!/ necessar/ and essentia! t,at t,e 1+estion
a!read/ decided s,o+!d 0e reAoened F <,e ans5er to t,is 1+estion 5o+!d deend on t,e
nat+re of t,e infir2it/ a!!e&ed in t,e ear!ier decision, its i2act on +0!ic &ood, and t,e
8a!idit/ and co2e!!in& c,aracter of t,e considerations +r&ed in s+ort of t,e contrar/ 8ie5.
=f t,e said decision ,as 0een fo!!o5ed in a !ar&e n+20er of cases, t,at a&ain is a factor 5,ic,
2+st 0e ta'en into acco+nt.
24. =n t,e resent case, if t,e ar&+2ents +r&ed 0/ t,e etitioners 5ere to re8ai!, it 5o+!d !ead
to t,e ine8ita0!e conse1+ence t,at t,e a2end2ents 2ade in t,e (onstit+tion 0ot, in 1951 and
1955 5o+!d 0e rendered in8a!id and a !ar&e n+20er of decisions dea!in& 5it, t,e 8a!idit/ of
t,e Acts inc!+ded in t,e Nint, 9c,ed+!e 5,ic, ,a8e 0een rono+nced 0/ different .i&,
(o+rts e8er since t,e decision of t,is (o+rt in 9an'ari PrasadGs ?H1952I 9.(.". 89@ case 5as
dec!ared, 5o+!d a!so 0e e;osed to serio+s %eoard/. <,ese are considerations 5,ic, are 0ot,
re!e8ant and 2ateria! in dea!in& 5it, t,e !ea +r&ed 0/ t,e etitioners 0efore +s in t,e resent
roceedin&s t,at 9an'ari PrasadGs case s,o+!d 0e reAconsidered. =n 8ie5 of t,e said !ea,
,o5e8er, 5e ,a8e de!i0erate!/ c,osen to dea! 5it, t,e 2erits of t,e contentions 0efore
referrin& to t,e decision itse!f. =n o+r oinion, t,e !ea 2ade 0/ t,e etitioners for reA
considerin& 9an'ari PrasadGs case in 5,o!!/ +n%+stified and 2+st 0e re%ected.
25. =n t,is connection, 5e 5o+!d !i'e to refer anot,er asect of t,e 2atter. As 5e ,a8e
a!read/ indicated, t,e rincia! oint 5,ic, ,as 0een +r&ed 0efore +s in t,ese roceedin&s is
t,at t,e i2+&ned Act is in8a!id for t,e reason t,at 0efore resentin& it to t,e President for
,is assent, t,e roced+re rescri0ed 0/ t,e ro8iso to Art. 368 ,as not 0een fo!!o5ed, t,o+&,
t,e Act 5as one 5,ic, fe!! 5it,in t,e scoe of t,e ro8iso. =n ot,er 5ords, it 5as not
dis+ted 0efore +s t,at Art. 368 e2o5ers Par!ia2ent to a2end an/ ro8ision of t,e
(onstit+tion, inc!+din& t,e ro8isions in resect of t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts ens,rined in Part
===. <,e 2ain contention 5as t,at in a2endin& t,e re!e8ant ro8isions of t,e (onstit+tion, t,e
roced+re rescri0ed 0/ t,e ro8iso s,o+!d ,a8e 0een fo!!o5ed. #+t it aears t,at in 9an'ari
PrasadGs case, anot,er ar&+2ent 5as +r&ed 0efore t,is (o+rt in c,a!!en&in& t,e 8a!idit/ of t,e
(onstit+tion ?4irst A2end2ent@ Act, and since 5e are e;ressin& o+r conc+rrence 5it, t,e
said decisions, 5e t,in' it is necessar/ to refer to t,e said ar&+2ent and dea! 5it, it, e8en
t,o+&, t,is asect of t,e 2atter ,as not 0een +r&ed 0efore +s in t,e resent roceedin&s.
26. =n 9an'ari PrasadGs case, it 5as contended t,at t,o+&, it 2a/ 0e oen to Par!ia2ent to
a2end t,e ro8isions in resect of t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts contained in Part ===, t,e
a2end2ent, if 2ade in t,at 0e,a!f, 5o+!d ,a8e to 0e tested in t,e !i&,t of t,e ro8isions
contained in Art. 13?2@ of t,e (onstit+tion. <,e ar&+2ent 5as t,at !a5 to 5,ic, Art. 13?2@
a!ies, 5o+!d inc!+de a !a5 assed 0/ Par!ia2ent 0/ 8irt+e of its constit+ent o5er to a2end
t,e (onstit+tion, and so, its 8a!idit/ 5i!! ,a8e to 0e tested 0/ Art. 13?2@ itse!f. =t 5i!! 0e
reca!!ed t,at Art. 13?2@ ro,i0its t,e 9tate fro2 2a'in& an/ !a5 5,ic, ta'es a5a/ or a0rid&es
t,e ri&,ts conferred 0/ Part ===, and ro8ides t,at an/ !a5 2ade in contra8ention of c!a+se ?2@
s,a!!, to t,e e;tent of t,e contra8ention, 0e 8oid. =n ot,er 5ords, it 5as +r&ed 0efore t,is
(o+rt in 9an'ari PrasadGs ?H1952I 9.(.". 89@ case t,at in considerin& t,e 1+estion as to t,e
8a!idit/ of t,e re!e8ant ro8isions of t,e (onstit+tion ?4irst A2end2ent@ Act, it 5o+!d 0e
oen to t,e art/ c,a!!en&in& t,e 8a!idit/ of t,e said Act to +r&e t,at in so far as t,e
A2end2ent Act a0rid&es or ta'es a5a/ t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts of t,e citiKens, it is 8oid. <,is
ar&+2ent 5as, ,o5e8er, re%ected 0/ t,is (o+rt on t,e &ro+nd t,at t,e 5ord D!a5D +sed in Art.
13 D2+st 0e ta'en to 2ean r+!es or re&+!ations 2ade in e;ercise of ordinar/ !e&is!ati8e o5er
and not a2end2ents to t,e (onstit+tion 2ade in e;ercise of constit+ent o5er 5it, t,e res+!t
t,at Art. 13 ?2@ does not affect a2end2ents 2ade +nder Art. 368D.
2C. =t is si&nificant t,at Patan%a!i 9astri ). as ,e t,en 5as, 5,o so'e for t,e (o+rt, descri0ed
as attracti8e t,e ar&+2ent a0o+t t,e a!ica0i!it/ of Art. 13?2@ to (onstit+tion A2end2ent
Acts assed +nder Art. 368, e;a2ined it c!ose!/, and +!ti2ate!/ re%ected it. =t 5as noticed in
t,e %+d&2ent t,at certain constit+tions 2a'e certain ri&,ts Deterna! and in8io!ateD, and 0/ 5a/
of i!!+stration, reference 5as 2ade to Art. 11 of t,e )aanese (onstit+tion and Art. 5 of t,e
A2erican 4edera! (onstit+tion. =t 5as a!so noticed t,at t,e 5ord D!a5D in its !itera! sense,
2a/ inc!+de constit+tiona! !a5, 0+t it 5as ointed o+t t,at Dt,ere is a c!ear de2arcation
0et5een ordinar/ !a5, 5,ic, is 2ade in e;ercise of !e&is!ati8e o5er, and constit+tiona! !a5
5,ic, is 2ade in e;ercise of constit+ent o5erD. <,e sc,e2e of t,e re!e8ant ro8isions of t,e
(onstit+tion 5as t,en e;a2ined, and +!ti2ate!/, t,e (o+rt reac,ed t,e conc!+sion t,at t,o+&,
0ot, Artic!es 13 and 368 are 5ide!/ ,rased, t,e ,ar2onio+s r+!e of constr+ction re1+ires
t,at t,e 5ord D!a5D in Art. 13 s,o+!d 0e ta'en to e;c!+de !a5 2ade in e;ercise of t,e
constit+ent o5er.
28. =n o+r oinion, t,is conc!+sion is ri&,t, and as 5e are e;ressin& o+r f+!! conc+rrence
5it, t,e decision in 9an'ari PrasadGs ?H1952I 9.(.". 89@ case, 5e t,in' it is necessar/ to
indicate o+r reasons for a&reein& 5it, t,e conc!+sion of t,e (o+rt on t,is oint, e8en t,o+&,
t,e correctness of t,is conc!+sion ,as not 0een 1+estioned 0efore +s in t,e co+rse of
ar&+2ents. =f 5e ,ad fe!t a rea! diffic+!t/ in accetin& t,is art of t,e conc!+sion, 5e 5o+!d
,a8e serio+s!/ considered t,e 1+estion as to 5,et,er t,e 2atter s,o+!d not 0e referred to a
!ar&er #enc, for a f+rt,er e;a2ination of t,e ro0!e2.
29. <,e first oint 5,ic, fa!!s to 0e considered on t,is asect of t,e 2atter is t,e constr+ction
of Art. 368 itse!f. Part EE 5,ic, contains on!/ Art. 368 is descri0ed as a Part dea!in& 5it,
t,e A2end2ent of t,e (onstit+tionB and Art. 368 5,ic, rescri0es t,e roced+re for
a2end2ent of t,e (onstit+tion, 0e&ins 0/ sa/in& t,at an a2end2ent of t,is (onstit+tion 2a/
0e initiated in t,e 2anner t,ere indicated. =n o+r oinion, t,e e;ression Da2end2ent of t,e
(onstit+tionD !ain!/ and +na20i&+o+s!/ 2eans a2end2ent of a!! t,e ro8isions of t,e
(onstit+tion. =t 5o+!d, 5e t,in', 0e +nreasona0!e to s+&&est t,at 5,at Art. 368 ro8ides is
on!/ t,e 2ec,anics of t,e roced+re to 0e fo!!o5ed in a2endin& t,e (onstit+tion 5it,o+t
indicatin& 5,ic, ro8isions of t,e (onstit+tion can 0e a2ended and 5,ic, cannot. 9+c, a
restricti8e constr+ction of t,e s+0stanti8e art of Art. 368 5o+!d 0e c!ear!/ +ntena0!e.
#esides, t,e 5ords +sed in t,e ro8iso +na20i&+o+s!/ indicate t,at t,e s+0stanti8e art of t,e
artic!e a!ies to a!! t,e ro8isions of t,e (onstit+tion. =t is on t,at 0asic ass+2tion t,at t,e
ro8iso rescri0es a secific roced+re in resect of t,e a2end2ent of t,e artic!es 2entioned
in c!a+ses ?a@ to ?e@ t,ereof. <,erefore, 5e fee! no ,esitation in ,o!din& t,at 5,en Art. 368
confers on Par!ia2ent t,e ri&,t to a2end t,e (onstit+tion t,e o5er in 1+estion can 0e
e;ercised o8er a!! t,e ro8isions of t,e (onstit+tion. .o5 t,e o5er s,o+!d 0e e;ercised, ,as
to 0e deter2ined 0/ reference to t,e 1+estion as to 5,et,er t,e roosed a2end2ent fa!!s
+nder t,e s+0stanti8e art of Art. 368, or attracts t,e ro8isions of t,e ro8iso.
30. =t is tr+e t,at Art. 13?2@ refers to an/ !a5 in &enera!, and !itera!!/ constr+ed, t,e 5ord
D!a5D 2a/ ta'e in a !a5 2ade in e;ercise of t,e constit+ent o5er conferred on Par!ia2entB
0+t ,a8in& re&ard to t,e fact t,at a secific, +n1+a!ified and +na20i&+o+s o5er to a2end
t,e (onstit+tion is conferred on Par!ia2ent, it 5o+!d 0e +nreasona0!e to ,o!d t,at t,e 5ord
D!a5D in Art. 13?2@ ta'es in (onstit+tion A2end2ent Acts assed +nder Art. 368. =f t,e
(onstit+tionA2a'ers ,ad intended t,at an/ f+t+re a2end2ent of t,e ro8isions in re&ard to
f+nda2enta! ri&,ts s,o+!d 0e s+0%ect to Art. 13?2@, t,e/ 5o+!d ,a8e ta'en t,e reca+tion of
2a'in& a c!ear ro8ision in t,at 0e,a!f. #esides, it see2s to +s 8er/ +n!i'e!/ t,at 5,i!e
conferrin& t,e o5er on Par!ia2ent to a2end t,e (onstit+tion, it 5as t,e intention of t,e
(onstit+tionA2a'ers to e;c!+de fro2 t,at co2re,ensi8e o5er f+nda2enta! ri&,ts
a!to&et,er. <,ere is no do+0t t,at if 5ord D!a5D +sed in Art. 13?2@ inc!+des a !a5 in re!ation
to t,e a2end2ent of t,e (onstit+tion, f+nda2enta! ri&,ts can ne8er 0e a0rid&ed or ta'en
a5a/, 0eca+se as soon as it is s,o5n t,at t,e effect of t,e a2end2ent is to ta'e a5a/ or
a0rid&e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts, t,at ortion of t,e !a5 5o+!d 0e 8oid +nder Art. 13?2@. We ,a8e
no do+0t t,at s+c, a osition co+!d not ,a8e 0een intended 0/ t,e (onstit+tionA2a'ers 5,en
t,e/ inc!+ded Art. 368 in t,e (onstit+tion. =n constr+in& t,e 5ord D!a5D occ+rrin& in Art.
13?2@, it 2a/ 0e re!e8ant to 0ear in 2ind t,at, in t,e 5ords of -ania (.) in A. -. $oa!an 8.
<,e 9tate of *adras ?H1950I 9.(.". 88 at . 100@, Dt,e inc!+sion of artic!e 13?1@ and ?2@ in t,e
(onstit+tion aears to 0e a 2atter of a0+ndant ca+tion. :8en in t,eir a0sence, if an/ of t,e
f+nda2enta! ri&,ts 5as infrin&ed 0/ an/ !e&is!ati8e enact2ent, t,e (o+rt ,as a!5a/s t,e
o5er to dec!are t,e enact2ent, to t,e e;tent it trans&resses t,e !i2its, in8a!idD.
31. <,e i2ortance and si&nificance of t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts 2+st o08io+s!/ 0e reco&nised
and in t,at sense, t,e &+arantee to t,e citiKens contained in t,e re!e8ant ro8isions of Part ===,
can %+st!/ 0e descri0ed as t,e 8er/ fo+ndation and t,e cornerAstone of t,e de2ocratic 5a/ of
!ife +s,ered in t,is co+ntr/ 0/ t,e (onstit+tion. #+t can it 0e said t,at t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts
&+aranteed to t,e citiKens are eterna! and in8io!ate in t,e sense t,at t,e/ can ne8er 0e
a0rid&ed or a2ended F =t is tr+e t,at in t,e case of A - $oa!an ?H1950I 9.(.". 88, at . 100@
Patan%a!i 9astri, as ,e t,en 5as, e;ressed t,e 8ie5 t,at Dt,ere can 0e no do+0t t,at t,e eo!e
of =ndia ,a8e, in e;ercise of t,eir so8erei&n 5i!! as e;ressed in t,e Prea20!e, adoted t,e
de2ocratic idea! 5,ic, ass+res to t,e citiKen t,e di&nit/ of t,e indi8id+a! and ot,er c,eris,ed
,+2an 8a!+es as a 2eans to t,e f+!! e8o!+tion and e;ression of ,is ersona!it/, and in
de!e&atin& to t,e !e&is!at+re, t,e e;ec+ti8e and t,e %+diciar/ t,eir resecti8e o5ers in t,e
(onstit+tion, reser8ed to t,e2se!8es certain f+nda2enta! ri&,ts, soAca!!ed, = are,end,
0eca+se t,e/ ,a8e 0een retained 0/ t,e eo!e and 2ade ara2o+nt to t,e de!e&ated o5ers,
as in t,e A2erican 2ode!D ?. 198@. <,is ,/ot,esis 2a/, ri2a facie, tend to s,o5 t,at t,e
ri&,t to a2end t,ese f+nda2enta! ri&,ts 8ested not in Par!ia2ent, 0+t in t,e eo!e of =ndia
t,e2se!8es. #+t it is si&nificant t,at 5,en t,e sa2e !earned )+d&e ,ad occasion to consider
t,is 1+estion 2ore e!a0orate!/ in =n re <,e De!,i 3a5s Act, 1912, ?H1951I 9.(.". C4C, at .
883A84@ etc. ,e ,as e2,atica!!/ e;ressed t,e 8ie5 t,at it is esta0!is,ed 0e/ond do+0t t,at
t,e =ndian 3e&is!at+re, 5,en actin& 5it,in t,e !i2its circ+2scri0in& its !e&is!ati8e o5er, ,as
and 5as intended to ,a8e !enar/ o5ers of !e&is!ation as !ar&e and of t,e sa2e nat+re as
t,ose of t,e #ritis, Par!ia2ent itse!f and no constit+tiona! !i2itation on t,e de!e&ation of
!e&is!ati8e o5er to a s+0ordinate +nit is to 0e fo+nd in t,e =ndian (o+nci!s Act, 1861, or t,e
$o8ern2ent of =ndia Act, 1935, or t,e (onstit+tion of 1950. <,e s+&&estion t,at t,e
!e&is!at+res, inc!+din& t,e Par!ia2ent, are t,e de!e&ate of t,e eo!e of =ndia in 5,o2
so8erei&nt/ 8ests, 5as re%ected 0/ t,e !earned )+d&e 5,en ,e o0ser8ed t,at Dt,e 2a;i2
Gde!e&ates non otest de!e&areG is not art of t,e (onstit+tiona! !a5 of =ndia and ,as no 2ore
force t,an a o!itica! recet to 0e acted +on 0/ !e&is!at+res in t,e disc,ar&e of t,eir
f+nction of 2a'in& !a5s, and t,e co+rts cannot stri'e do5n an Act of Par!ia2ent as
+nconstit+tiona! 2ere!/ 0eca+se Par!ia2ent decides in a artic+!ar instance to entr+st its
!e&is!ati8e o5er to anot,er in 5,o2 it ,as confidence or, in ot,er 5ords, to e;ercise s+c,
o5er t,ro+&, its aointed instr+2enta!it/, ,o5e8er re+&nant s+c, entr+st2ent 2a/ 0e to
t,e de2ocratic rocess. W,at 2a/ 0e re&arded as o!itica!!/ +ndesira0!e is constit+tiona!!/
co2etent.D =t 5o+!d t,+s aear t,at so far as o+r (onstit+tion is concerned, it 5o+!d not 0e
ossi0!e to dea! 5it, t,e 1+estion a0o+t t,e o5ers of Par!ia2ent to a2end t,e (onstit+tion
+nder Art. 368 on an/ t,eoretica! concet of o!itica! science t,at so8erei&nt/ 8ests in t,e
eo!e and t,e !e&is!at+res are 2ere!/ t,e de!e&ate of t,e eo!e. W,et,er or not Par!ia2ent
,as t,e o5er to a2end t,e (onstit+tion 2+st deend so!e!/ +on t,e 1+estion as to 5,et,er
t,e said o5er is inc!+ded in Art. 368. <,e 1+estion a0o+t t,e reasona0!eness, or e;edienc/
or desira0i!it/ of t,e a2end2ents in 1+estion fro2 a o!itica! oint of 8ie5 5o+!d 0e
irre!e8ant in constr+in& t,e 5ords of Art. 368.
32. =ncidenta!!/, 5e 2a/ a!so refer to t,e fact t,at t,e (onstit+tionA2a'ers ,ad ta'en t,e
reca+tion to indicate t,at so2e a2end2ents s,o+!d not 0e treated as a2end2ents of t,e
(onstit+tion for t,e +rose of Art. 368. <a'e, for instance Art. 4?2@ 5,ic, dea!s 5it, !a5
2ade 0/ 8irt+e of Art. 4?1@. Art. 4?2@ ro8ides t,at no s+c, !a5 s,a!! 0e dee2ed to 0e an
a2end2ent of t,e (onstit+tion for t,e +roses of Art. 368. 9i2i!ar!/, Art. 169?3@ ro8ides
t,at an/ !a5 in resect of t,e a2end2ent of t,e e;istin& !e&is!ati8e aarat+s 0/ t,e a0o!ition
or creation of 3e&is!ati8e (o+nci!s in 9tates s,a!! not 0e dee2ed to 0e an a2end2ent of t,e
(onstit+tion for t,e +roses of Art. 368. =n ot,er 5ords, !a5s fa!!in& 5it,in t,e +r8ie5 of
Artic!es 4?2@ and 169?3@ need, not 0e assed s+0%ect to t,e restriction i2osed 0/ Art. 368,
e8en t,o+&,, in effect, t,e/ 2a/ a2o+nt to t,e a2end2ent of t,e re!e8ant ro8isions of t,e
(onstit+tion. =f t,e (onstit+tionA2a'ers too' t,e reca+tion of 2a'in& t,is secific ro8ision
to e;c!+de t,e a!ica0i!it/ of Art. 368 to certain a2end2ents, it 5o+!d 0e reasona0!e to
ass+2e t,at t,e/ 5o+!d ,a8e 2ade a secific ro8ision if t,e/ ,ad intended t,at t,e
f+nda2enta! ri&,ts &+aranteed 0/ Part === s,o+!d 0e co2!ete!/ o+tside t,e scoe of Art. 368.
33. Aart fro2 t,e fact t,at t,e 5ords +sed in Art. 368 are c!ear and +na20i&+o+s in s+ort
of t,e 8ie5 t,at 5e are ta'in&, on rinci!e a!so it aears +nreasona0!e to s+&&est t,at t,e
(onstit+tionA2a'ers 5anted to ro8ide t,at f+nda2enta! ri&,ts &+aranteed 0/ t,e
(onstit+tion s,o+!d ne8er 0e to+c,ed 0/ 5a/ of a2end2ent. =t 2+st not 0e for&otten t,at t,e
f+nda2enta! ri&,ts &+aranteed 0/ Art. 19, for instance, are not a0so!+teB t,e sc,e2e of t,is
artic!e itse!f indicates t,at t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts &+aranteed 0/ s+0Ac!a+ses ?a@ to ?&@ of
c!a+se ?!@, can 0e 8a!id!/ re&+!ated in t,e !i&,t of t,e ro8isions contained in c!a+ses ?2@ to ?6@
of Art. 19. =n ot,er 5ords, t,e 0road sc,e2e of Art. 19 is t5oAfo!dB t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts of
t,e citiKens are of ara2o+nt i2ortance, 0+t e8en t,e said f+nda2enta! ri&,ts can 0e
re&+!ated to ser8e t,e interests of t,e &enera! +0!ic or ot,er o0%ects 2entioned resecti8e!/
in c!a+ses ?2@ to ?6@, and t,at 2eans t,at for secified +roses indicated in t,ese c!a+ses,
e8en t,e ara2o+ntc/ of f+nda2enta! ri&,ts ,as to /ie!d to so2e re&+!ation as conte2!ated
0/ t,e said c!a+ses. =t is ,ard!/ necessar/ to e2,asise t,at t,e +roses for 5,ic,
f+nda2enta! ri&,ts can 0e re&+!ated 5,ic, are secified in c!a+ses ?2@ to ?6@, co+!d not ,a8e
0een ass+2ed 0/ t,e (onstit+tionA2a'ers to 0e static and incaa0!e of e;ansion. <,e
(onstit+tionA2a'ers 2+st ,a8e anticiated t,at in dea!in& 5it, socioAecono2ic ro0!e2s
5,ic, t,e !e&is!at+res 2a/ ,a8e to face fro2 ti2e to ti2e, t,e concets of +0!ic interest and
ot,er i2ortant considerations 5,ic, are t,e 0asis of c!a+ses ?2@ to ?6@, 2a/ c,an&e and 2a/
e8en e;andB and so, it is !e&iti2ate to ass+2e t,at t,e (onstit+tionA2a'ers 'no5 t,at
Par!ia2ent s,o+!d 0e co2etent to 2a'e a2end2ents in t,ese ri&,ts so as to 2eet t,e
c,a!!en&e of t,e ro0!e2s 5,ic, 2a/ arise in t,e co+rse of socioAecono2ic ro&ress and
de8e!o2ent of t,e co+ntr/. <,at is 5,/ 5e t,in' t,at e8en on rinci!e, it 5o+!d not 0e
reasona0!e to roceed on t,e 0asis t,at t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts ens,rined in Part === 5ere
intended to 0e fina!!/ and i22+ta0!/ sett!ed and deter2ined once for a!! and 5ere 0e/ond t,e
reac, of an/ f+t+re a2end2ent.
34. 3et +s i!!+strate t,is oint 0/ reference to so2e of t,e ro8isions of t,e (onstit+tion ?4irst
A2end2ent@ Act, 1951 itse!f. #/ t,is Act, Artic!es 15, 19 and 31 5ere a2ended. One ,as
2ere!/ to reca!! t,e +rose for 5,ic, it 0eca2e necessar/ to a2end Artic!es 15 and 19 to 0e
satisfied t,at t,e c,an&in& c,aracter of t,e ro0!e2s osed 0/ t,e 5ords +sed in t,e
resecti8e artic!es co+!d not ,a8e 0een effecti8e!/ 2et +n!ess a2end2ent in t,e re!e8ant
ro8isions 5as effectedB and /et, if t,e ar&+2ent t,at t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts are 0e/ond t,e
reac, of Art. 368 5ere 8a!id, a!! t,ese a2end2ents 5o+!d 0e constit+tiona!!/ i2er2issi0!e.
<,at, 5e t,in' is not t,e tr+e +rort and effect of Art. 368. We are, t,erefore, satisfied t,at
t,is (o+rt 5as ri&,t in re%ectin& t,e said ar&+2ent in t,e case of 9an'ari Prasad ?H1952I
9.(.". 89@.
35. <,is 1+estion can 0e considered fro2 anot,er oint of 8ie5. <,e ar&+2ent t,at t,e
f+nda2enta! ri&,ts &+aranteed 0/ Part === are eterna!, in8io!ate, and 0e/ond t,e reac, of Art.
368, is 0ased on t5o ass+2tions. <,e first ass+2tion is t,at on a fair and reasona0!e
constr+ction of Art. 368, t,e o5er to a2end t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts cannot 0e ,e!d to 0e
inc!+ded 5it,in t,e constit+ent o5ers conferred on Par!ia2ent 0/ t,e said Artic!e. We ,a8e
a!read/ ,e!d t,at a fair and reasona0!e constr+ction of Art. 368 does not %+stif/ t,is
ass+2tion. <,e ot,er ass+2tion 5,ic, t,is ar&+2ent 2a'es, and 2+st of necessit/ 2a'e,
is t,at if t,e o5er to a2end t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts is not inc!+ded in Art. 368 as it stands, it
cannot e8er 0e inc!+ded 5it,in its +r8ie5B 0eca+se +n!ess it is ass+2ed t,at t,e re!e8ant
o5er can ne8er 0e inc!+ded in Art. 368, it 5o+!d 0e +nrea!istic to roo+nd t,e t,eor/ t,at
t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts are eterna!, in8io!ate, and not 5it,in t,e reac, of an/ s+0se1+ent
constit+tiona! a2end2ent. =t is c!ear t,at Art. 368 itse!f can 0e a2ended 0/ Par!ia2ent,
t,o+&, c!a+se ?e@ of t,e ro8iso re1+ires t,at 0efore a2endin& Art. 368, t,e safe&+ards
rescri0ed 0/ t,e ro8iso 2+st 0e satisfied. =n ot,er 5ords, e8en if t,e o5ers to a2end t,e
f+nda2enta! ri&,ts 5ere not inc!+ded in Art. 368, Par!ia2ent can, 0/ a s+ita0!e a2end2ent of
Art. 368, ta'e t,ose o5ers. <,+s, t,e second ass+2tion +nder!/in& t,e ar&+2ent a0o+t t,e
i22+ta0!e c,aracter of t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts is a!so not 5e!! fo+nded.
36. <,ere is one 2ore oint to 5,ic, 5e 5o+!d !i'e to refer. =n t,e case of 9an'ari Prasad
?H1952I 9.(.". 89@ t,is (o+rt ,as o0ser8ed t,at t,e 1+estion 5,et,er t,e !atter art of Art.
31# is too 5ide!/ e;ressed, 5as not ar&+ed 0efore it, and so, it did not e;ress an/ oinion
+on it. <,is 1+estion ,as, ,o5e8er, 0een ar&+ed 0efore +s, and so, 5e 5o+!d !i'e to 2a'e it
c!ear t,at t,e effect of t,e !ast c!a+se in Art. 31# is to !ea8e it oen to t,e resecti8e
!e&is!at+res to reea! or a2end t,e Acts 5,ic, ,a8e 0een inc!+ded in t,e Nint, 9c,ed+!e. =n
ot,er 5ords, t,e fact t,at t,e said Acts ,a8e 0een inc!+ded in t,e Nint, 9c,ed+!e 5it, a 8ie5
to 2a'e t,e2 8a!id, does not 2ean t,at t,e !e&is!at+res in 1+estion 5,ic, assed t,e said
Acts ,a8e !ost t,eir co2etence to reea! t,e2 or to a2end t,e2. <,at is one conse1+ence of
t,e said ro8ision. <,e ot,er ine8ita0!e conse1+ence of t,e said ro8ision is t,at if a
!e&is!at+re a2ends an/ of t,e ro8isions contained in an/ of t,e said Acts, t,e a2ended
ro8ision 5o+!d not recei8e t,e rotection of Art. 31# and its 8a!idit/ 2a/ 0e !ia0!e to 0e
e;a2ined on t,e 2erits.
3C. #efore 5e art 5it, t,is 2atter, 5e 5o+!d !i'e to o0ser8e t,at Par!ia2ent 2a/ consider
5,et,er it 5o+!d not 0e e;edient and reasona0!e to inc!+de t,e ro8isions of Part === in t,e
ro8iso to Art. 368. =t is not eas/ to areciate 5,/ t,e (onstit+tionA2a'ers did not inc!+de
t,e said ro8isions in t,e ro8iso 5,en Art. 368 5as adoted. =n =n re : t,e #er+0ari >nion
and :;c,an&e of :nc!a8es MANU/SC/0049/1960, t,is (o+rt ,ad ointed o+t t,at a2end2ent
of Art. 1 of t,e (onstit+tion conse1+ent +on t,e cession of an/ art of t,e territor/ of =ndia
in fa8o+r of a forei&n 9tate, does not attract t,e safe&+ard rescri0ed 0/ t,e ro8iso to Art.
368, 0eca+se neit,er Art. Neit,er 1 nor Art. 3 is inc!+ded in t,e !ist of entrenc,ed ro8isions
of t,e (onstit+tion en+2erated in t,e ro8isoB and it 5as o0ser8ed t,at it 5as not for t,is
(o+rt to en1+ire or consider 5,et,er it 5o+!d not 0e aroriate to inc!+de t,e said t5o
artic!es +nder t,e ro8iso, and t,at it 5as a 2atter for Par!ia2ent to consider and decide.
9i2i!ar!/, it see2s so2e5,at ano2a!o+s t,at an/ a2end2ent of t,e ro8isions contained in
Art. 226 s,o+!d fa!! +nder t,e ro8iso 0+t not an a2end2ent of Art. 32. Artic!e 226 confers
on .i&, (o+rts t,e o5er to iss+e certain 5rits, 5,i!e Art. 32, 5,ic, itse!f is a &+aranteed
f+nda2enta! ri&,t, ena0!es a citiKen to 2o8e t,is (o+rt for si2i!ar 5rits. Par!ia2ent 2a/
consider 5,et,er t,e ano2a!/ 5,ic, is aarent in t,e different 2odes rescri0ed 0/ Art.
368 for a2endin& Artic!es 226 and 32 resecti8e!/, s,o+!d not 0e re2edied 0/ inc!+din& Part
=== itse!f in t,e ro8iso. =f t,at is done, diffic+!t 1+estions as to 5,et,er t,e a2end2ent 2ade
in t,e ro8isions of Part === s+0stantia!!/, direct!/ and 2ateria!!/ affects t,e %+risdiction and
o5ers of t,e .i&, (o+rts >nder Art. 226 2a/ 0e easi!/ a8oided.
38. =n t,e res+!t, 5e ,o!d t,at t,e i2+&ned Act is constit+tiona!!/ 8a!id. <,e etitions,
accordin&!/, fai! and are dis2issed. <,ere 5i!! 0e no order as to costs.
Hi#a*at"ah2 !.
39. = ,a8e ,ad t,e ri8i!e&e of readin& t,e %+d&2ent %+st de!i8ered 0/ 2/ !ord t,e (,ief
)+stice. = a&ree 5it, ,i2 t,at t,ere is no force in t,e contention t,at t,e 1Ct, A2end2ent
re1+ired for its 8a!id enact2ent t,e secia! roced+re !aid do5n in t,e ro8iso to Art. 368. =t
5o+!d, of co+rse, ,a8e 0een necessar/ if t,e a2end2ent ,ad so+&,t to 2a'e a c,an&e in Art.
226. <,is e8ent+a!it/ cannot 0e said to ,a8e arisen. Artic!e 226 re2ains +nc,an&ed after t,e
a2end2ent. <,e ro8iso co2es into !a/ on!/ 5,en t,e artic!e is direct!/ c,an&ed or its
a20it as s+c, is so+&,t to 0e c,an&ed. W,at t,e 1Ct, a2end2ent does is to en!ar&e t,e
2eanin& of t,e 5ord GestateG in Art. 31AA and to &i8e rotection to so2e Acts assed 0/ t,e
9tate 3e&is!at+res 0/ inc!+din& t,e2 in t,e Nint, 9c,ed+!e +nder t,e s,ie!d of Art, 31A#.
<,ese Acts ro2oted a&rarian refor2 and 0+t for t,e inc!+sion in t,e Nint, 9c,ed+!e t,e/
2i&,t 0e assai!ed 0/ t,e ro8isions of Artic!es 14, 19 or 31 of t,e (onstit+tion. 9o2e of t,e
Acts 5ere in fact s+ccessf+!!/ assai!ed 0+t t,e a2end2ent 2a'es t,e2 effecti8e and
in8+!nera0!e to t,e t,ree artic!es not5it,standin& Art. 13 of t,e (onstit+tion. =n sri 9an'ari
PrasadGs ?H1952I 9.(.". 89@ case 5,en t,e (onstit+tionI ?4irst A2end2ent@ Act 5as assed
and Artic!es 31AA and 31A# and Nint, 9c,ed+!e 5ere introd+ced, t,e effect of t,at
a2end2ent on Art. 226 5as considered and it 5as ,e!d t,at t,e A2end2ent ,ad not t,e
effect 8is+a!ised 0/ t,e ro8iso to Art. 368. <,e reasonin& in t,at case on t,is oint a!ies
2+tatis 2+tandis to t,e 1Ct, A2end2ent.
40. = find, ,o5e8er, so2e diffic+!t/ in accetin& a art of t,e reasonin& in 9an'ari PrasadGs
case and 2/ +rose in 5ritin& a searate %+d&2ent is to sa/ t,at = decide t,e resent cases
5it,o+t t,e assistance of t,at reasonin&. = s,a!! 0rief!/ indicate 5,at t,at reasonin& is and
5,/ = ,a8e do+0ts. =n 9an'ari PrasadGs case it 5as contended t,at 0/ Art. 13?2@ t,e
4+nda2enta! "i&,ts in Part === of t,e (onstit+tion 5ere +t 0e/ond t,e reac, of Art. 368 and
o+tside t,e o5er of a2end2ent conferred on Par!ia2ent 0/ Art. 368. <,is ar&+2ent 5as
considered Dattracti8eD 0+t 5as re%ected 0eca+se of certain Di2ortant considerationsD 5,ic,
it 5as ,e!d ointed Dto t,e oosite conc!+sionD. <5o reasons a!one aear to ,a8e 5ei&,ed
5it, t,is (o+rt. <,e first is t,at as constit+tiona! !a5 is distin&+is,a0!e fro2 ot,er 2+nicia!
!a5s and as t,ere is no Dc!ear indicationD to 0e fo+nd t,at t,e 4+nda2enta! "i&,ts are
Di22+ne fro2 constit+tiona! a2end2entD, on!/ t,e in8asion of t,e 4+nda2enta! "i&,ts 0/
!a5s ot,er t,an constit+tiona! !a5s 2+st 0e t,e s+0%ect of t,e ro,i0ition in Art. 13?2@. Art.
13 2a/ 0e 1+oted at t,is sta&e :
D13. 3a5s inconsistent 5it, or in dero&ation of t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts.
?1@ A!! !a5s in force in t,e territor/ of =ndia i22ediate!/ 0efore t,e co22ence2ent of t,is
(onstit+tion, in so far as t,e/ are inconsistent 5it, t,e ro8isions of t,is Part, s,a!!, to t,e
e;tent of s+c, inconsistenc/, 0e 8oid.
?2@ <,e 9tate s,a!! not 2a'e an/ !a5 5,ic, ta'es a5a/ or a0rid&es t,e ri&,ts conferred 0/
t,is Part and an/ !a5 2ade in contra8ention of t,is c!a+se s,a!!, to t,e e;tent of t,e
contra8ention, 0e 8oid.
?3@ =n t,is artic!e, +n!ess t,e conte;t ot,er5ise re1+ires, A
?a@ D!a5D inc!+des an/ Ordinance, order, 0/eA!a5, r+!e, re&+!ation, notification, c+sto2 or
+sa&e ,a8in& in t,e territor/ of =ndia t,e force of !a5B
?0@ .......D
41. =t is tr+e t,at t,ere is no co2!ete definition of t,e 5ord D!a5D in t,e artic!e 0+t it is
si&nificant t,at t,e definition does not see' to e;c!+de constit+tiona! a2end2ents 5,ic, it
5o+!d ,a8e 0een eas/ to indicate in t,e definition 0/ addin& D0+t s,a!! not inc!+de an
a2end2ent of t,e (onstit+tionD. <,e 2eanin& is a!so so+&,t to 0e en!ar&ed not c+rtai!ed. <,e
2eanin& of Art. 13 t,+s deends on t,e sense in 5,ic, t,e 5ord D!a5D in Art. 13?2@ is to 0e
+nderstood. =f an a2end2ent can 0e said to fa!! 5it,in t,e ter2 D!a5D, t,e 4+nda2enta!
"i&,ts 0eco2e Deterna! and in8io!ateD to 0orro5 t,e !an&+a&e of t,e )aanese (onstit+tion.
Artic!e 13 is t,en on ar 5it, Art. 5 of t,e A2erican 4edera! (onstit+tion is its i22+ta0!e
ro,i0ition as !on& as it stands. #+t t,e restricted 2eanin& &i8en to t,e 5ord D!a5D re8ents
t,is to 0e ,e!d. <,ere is a riori reasonin& 5it,o+t consideration of t,e te;t of t,e artic!e in
Part ===. <,e Artic!e +se t,e !an&+a&e of er2anenc/. = a2 of oinion t,at t,ere are
indications in t,e (onstit+tion 5,ic, needed to 0e considered and = s,a!! 2ention so2e of
t,e2 !ater as i!!+strations.
42. <,e ne;t reason 5as t,at Art. 368 5as Derfect!/ &enera!D and a!!o5ed a2end2ent of
Dt,e (onstit+tion, 5it,o+t an/ e;cetion 5,atsoe8erD and t,erefore Art. 13?2@ did not co8er a
constit+tiona! a2end2ent. =t 5as o0ser8ed in t,is connection t,at if it 5as considered
necessar/ to sa8e 4+nda2enta! "i&,ts a c!ear ro8iso in Art. 368 5o+!d ,a8e con8e/ed t,is
intention 5it,o+t an/ do+0t. <o 2/ 2ind t,e easiest and 2ost o08io+s 5a/ 5as to sa/ t,at
t,e 5ord D!a5D in Art. 13 did not inc!+de an a2end2ent of t,e (onstit+tion. =t 5as fina!!/
conc!+ded as fo!!o5s :A
D... =n s,ort, 5e ,a8e ,ere t5o artic!es eac, of 5,ic, is 5ide!/ ,rased, 0+t conf!icts in its
oeration 5it, t,e ot,er. .ar2onio+s constr+ction re1+ires t,at one s,o+!d 0e read as
contro!!ed and 1+a!ified 0/ t,e ot,er. .a8in& re&ard to t,e considerations a8erted to a0o8e,
5e are of oinion t,at in t,e conte;t of artic!e 13 G!a5G 2+st 0e ta'en to 2ean r+!es or
re&+!ations 2ade in e;ercise of ordinar/ !e&is!ati8e o5er and not a2end2ents to t,e
(onstit+tion 2ade in e;ercise of constit+ent o5er, 5it, t,e res+!t t,e artic!e 13?2@ does not
affect a2end2ents 2ade +nder artic!e 368.D
43. At t,e ,earin& re!iance 5as not !aced on Art. 13?2@ 0+t e2,asis 5as !aid on t,e
a2end2ent of Art. 226. *r. ". 7. 9 *ani did, ,o5e8er, refer to t,e ro8ision for t,e
s+sension of 4+nda2enta! "i&,ts as s,o5in& t,at +n!ess s+sended in an e2er&enc/, Part
=== 2+st stand +nc,an&ed and ,e referred to Art. 32?4@. 4or t,e disosa! of t,ese cases =
indicate 2/ 8ie5 t,at on t,e ar&+2ents 0efore +s = 2+st ,o!d t,at as decided in 9an'ari
PrasadGs ?H1952I 9.(.". 89@ case Art. 226 is not so+&,t to 0e c,an&ed 0/ t,e 1Ct,
A2end2ent. #+t = 2a'e it c!ear t,at = 2+st not 0e +nderstood to ,a8e s+0scri0ed to t,e 8ie5
t,at t,e 5ord D!a5D in Art. 13?2@ does not contro! constit+tiona! a2end2ents. = reser8e 2/
oinion on t,at case for = are,end t,at it deends on ,o5 5ide is t,e 5ord D!a5D in t,at
Artic!e. <,e ro,i0ition in t,at artic!e 2a/ ,a8e to 0e read in t,e !i&,t of dec!arations in t,e
8ario+s artic!es in Part === to find o+t t,e roer 2eanin&. <,o+&, = do not e;ress a fina!
oinion = &i8e a fe5 e;a2!es. <a'e for instance Art. 32. =t reads :
D32. "e2edies for enforce2ent of ri&,ts.
?1@ <,e ri&,t to 2o8e t,e 9+re2e (o+rt 0/ aroriate roceedin&s for t,e enforce2ent of
t,e ri&,ts conferred 0/ t,is Part is &+aranteed.
?2@ <,e 9+re2e (o+rt s,a!! ,a8e o5er to iss+e directions or orders or 5rits in t,e nat+re of
,a0eas cor+s, 2anda2+s, ro,i0ition, 1+o 5arranto and certiorari, 5,ic,e8er 2a/ 0e
aroriate, for t,e enforce2ent of an/ of t,e ri&,ts conferred 0/ t,is Part.
?3@ Wit,o+t re%+dice to t,e o5ers conferred on t,e 9+re2e (o+rt 0/ c!a+ses ?1@ and ?2@,
Par!ia2ent 2a/ 0/ !a5 e2o5er an/ ot,er co+rt to e;ercise 5it,in t,e !oca! !i2its of its
%+risdiction a!! or an/ of t,e o5ers e;ercisa0!e 0/ t,e 9+re2e (o+rt +nder c!a+se ?2@.
?4@ <,e ri&,t &+aranteed 0/ t,is artic!e s,a!! not 0e s+sended e;cet as ot,er5ise ro8ided
for 0/ t,e (onstit+tion.D
44. =t is ri2a facie at !east, reasona0!e to t,in' t,at if c!s. ?1@, and ?4@ of t,is Artic!e 5ere
inc!+ded in Part EE ?A2end2ent of t,e (onstit+tion@ t,at 5o+!d ,a8e 2ade t,e &+arantee
a0so!+te a&ainst an/ a2end2ent. =t is a 2atter for consideration 5,et,er t,is &+arantee is an/
t,e !ess 0eca+se t,e artic!e is in anot,er Part F <,e first c!a+se ass+res a &+aranteed re2ed/.
<,at &+arantee is e1+a!!/ a&ainst !e&is!ati8e and e;ec+ti8e actions. Part === is f+!! of
dec!arations of 5,at t,e !e&is!at+re can do and 5,at it cannot do. <,e &+arantee co8ers a!!
t,ose actions 5,ic, are not oen to t,e !e&is!at+re and t,e e;ec+ti8e. =f it 0e ,e!d t,at t,e
&+arantee is in8io!a0!e 5o+!d not 0e &+arantee of t,e re2ed/ 2a'e t,e ri&,ts e1+a!!/
rotected F
45. Anot,er ro8ision, na2e!/, t,e Prea20!e of t,e (onstit+tion is e1+a!!/ 8ita! to o+r 0od/
o!itic. =n in re : <,e #er+0ari >nion and :;c,an&e of :nc!a8es MANU/SC/0049/1960 it is
,e!d t,at a!t,o+&, t,e rea20!e is t,e 'e/ to t,e 2ind of t,e (onstit+tionA2a'ers, it does not
for2 art of t,e (onstit+tion. Per,as, in one sense, it does not 0+t, in anot,er sense, it does.
O+r rea20!e is 2ore a'in in nat+re to t,e A2erican Dec!aration of =ndeendence ?)+!/ 4,
1CC6@ t,en to t,e rea20!e to t,e (onstit+tion of t,e >nited 9tates. =t does not 2a'e an/
&rant of o5er 0+t it &i8es a direction and +rose to t,e (onstit+tion 5,ic, is ref!ected in
Parts === and =7. =s it to 0e i2a&ined t,at a t5oAt,irds 2a%orit/ of t,e t5o .o+ses at an/ ti2e
is a!! t,at is necessar/ to a!ter it 5it,o+t e8en cons+!tin& t,e 9tates F =t is not e8en inc!+ded in
t,e ro8iso to Art. 368 and it is diffic+!t to t,in' t,at as it ,as not t,e rotection of t,e
ro8iso it 2+st 0e 5it,in t,e 2ain art of Art. 368.
46. A&ain, Art. 13?1@ rendered 8oid t,e !a5s in force in t,e territor/ of =ndia 5,ic, conf!icted
5it, Part ===. (an it 0e said t,at Art. 13 2a/ 0e reea!ed retrosecti8e!/ and a!! t,ose stat+es
0ro+&,t 0ac' to !ife F #eca+se of s+ccessi8e a2end2ents 5e ,a8e seen 2an/ faces of Art.
31AA. =t is for consideration 5,et,er Art. 13 5as not intended to strea2!ine a!! e;istin& and
f+t+re !a5s to t,e 0asic re1+ire2ents of Part ===. Or is t,e door !eft oen for re8ersin& t,e
o!ic/ of o+r (onstit+tion fro2 ti2e to ti2e 0/ !e&is!atin& 5it, t,e 0i&&er 2a%orit/ at an/
&i8en ti2e not direct!/ 0+t 0/ constit+tiona! a2end2ents F =t is ossi0!e to %+stif/ s+c,
a2end2ents 5it, t,e aid of t,e ro8isos in Art. 19 5,ic, er2it t,e 2a'in& of !a5s
restrictin& t,e freedo2s 0+t not 0/ i&norin& Art. 13 and re!/in& so!e!/ on Art. 368.
4C. = a2 a5are t,at in A - $oa!an 8. 9tate of *adras ?H1950I 9.(.". 88 at . 100@ -ania ( )
said :
D... t,e inc!+sion of artic!e 13?1@ and ?2@ in t,e (onstit+tion aears to 0e a 2atter of
a0+ndant ca+tion. :8en in t,eir a0sence, if an/ of t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts 5as infrin&ed 0/
an/ !e&is!ati8e enact2ent, t,e (o+rt ,as a!5a/s t,e o5er to dec!are t,e enact2ent, to t,e
e;tent it trans&resses t,e !i2its in8a!id.D
48. <,e o0ser8ation is not c!ear in its 2eanin&. <,ere 5as +ndo+0ted!/ a &reat +rose 5,ic,
t,is artic!e ac,ie8es. =t is ro0a0!e t,at far fro2 0e!itt!in& t,e i2ortance of Art. 13 t,e
!earned (,ief )+stice 2eant rat,er to e2,asiKe t,e i2ortance and t,e co22andin& osition
of 4+nda2enta! "i&,ts in t,at e8en 5it,o+t Art. 13 t,e/ 5o+!d ,a8e t,e sa2e effect on ot,er
!a5s. <o ,o!d t,at Art. 13 is fra2ed 2ere!/ 0/ 5a/ of a0+ndant ca+tion, and ser8es no
additiona! or intrinsic f+nction of its o5n, 2i&,t, 0/ ana!o&/ ers+ade +s to sa/ t,e sa2e of
Art. 32?1@ 0eca+se t,is (o+rt 5o+!d do its d+t/ +nder Art. 32?2@ e8en in t,e a0sence of t,e
&+arantee.
49. = 5o+!d re1+ire stron&er reasons t,at t,ose &i8en in 9an'ari PrasadGs ?H1952I 9.(.". 89@
case to 2a'e 2e accet t,e 8ie5 t,at 4+nda2enta! "i&,ts 5ere not rea!!/ f+nda2enta! 0+t
5ere intended to 0e 5it,in t,e o5ers of a2end2ent in co22on 5it, t,e ot,er arts of t,e
(onstit+tion and 5it,o+t t,e conc+rrence of t,e 9tates. No do+0t Art. 19 0/ c!a+ses
n+20ered 2 to 6 a!!o5s a c+rtai!2ent of ri&,ts in t,e +0!ic interest. <,is s,o5s t,at Part ===
is not static. =t 8is+a!ises c,an&e and ro&ress 0+t at t,e sa2e ti2e it reser8es t,e indi8id+a!
ri&,ts. <,ere is ,ard!/ an/ 2eas+re of refor2 5,ic, cannot 0e introd+ced reasona0!/, t,e
&+arantee of indi8id+a! !i0ert/ not5it,standin&. :8en t,e a&rarian refor2s co+!d ,a8e 0een
art!/ carried o+t 5it,o+t Artic!e 31AA and 31A# 0+t t,e/ 5o+!d ,a8e cost 2ore to t,e +0!ic
e;c,e1+er. <,e ri&,ts of societ/ are 2ade ara2o+nt and t,e/ are !aced a0o8e t,ose of t,e
indi8id+a!. <,is is as it s,o+!d 0e. #+t restrictin& t,e 4+nda2enta! "i&,ts 0/ resort to c!s. 2 to
6 of Art. 19 is one t,in& and re2o8in& t,e ri&,ts fro2 t,e (onstit+tion or de0i!itatin& t,e2 0/
an a2end2ent is 1+ite anot,er. <,is is t,e i2!ication of 9an'ari PrasadGs case. =t is tr+e t,at
s+c, t,in&s 5o+!d ne8er 0e, 0+t one is concerned to 'no5 if s+c, a doin& 5o+!d 0e ossi0!e.
50. =t 2a/ 0e said t,at t,e 5ords of Art. 368 are 1+ite e;!icit. Art. 3 6 8 does not &i8e o5er
to a2end Dan/ ro8isionD of t,e (onstit+tion. At !east t,e artic!e does not sa/ so. Ana!/sed
0/ t,e acceted canons of interretation it is fo+nd to !a/ do5n t,e 2anner of t,e a2end2ent
of Dt,is (onstit+tionD 0+t 0/ Dt,is (onstit+tionD it does not 2ean eac, indi8id+a! artic!e
5,ere8er fo+nd and 5,ate8er its !an&+a&e and sirit. <,e (onstit+tion itse!f indicates in
so2e !aces a contrar/ intention e;ress!/ ?9ee Artic!es 4, 169 and t,e for2er Art. 240@ and
in so2e ot,ers 0/ i2!ication ?9ee Art. 11@. W,at Art. 368 does is to !a/ do5n t,e 2anner of
a2end2ent and t,e necessar/ conditions for t,e effecti8eness of t,e a2end2ent. <,e
contrast 0et5een t,e oenin& art and t,e ro8iso does not s,o5 t,at 5,at is o+tside t,e
ro8iso is necessari!/ 5it,in t,e o5ers of a2end2ent. <,e ro8iso 2ere!/ +ts o+tside t,e
e;c!+si8e Po5er of Par!ia2ent to a2end t,ose ro8isions on 5,ic, o+r federa! str+ct+re rests.
=t 2a'es it inc+20ent t,at a 2a%orit/ of t,e 9tates s,o+!d a!so a&ree. <,e ro8iso a!so
reser8es t,e str+ct+re of t,e ,i&,er %+diciar/ so 8ita! to a 5ritten (onstit+tion and to a
De2ocrac/ s+c, as o+rs. #+t t,e artic!e no 5,ere sa/s t,at t,e rea20!e and e8er/ sin&!e
artic!e of t,e (onstit+tion can 0e a2ended 0/ t5oAt,irds 2a%orit/ desite an/ er2anenc/ in
t,e !an&+a&e and desite an/ ,istorica! fact or senti2ent.
51. <,e (onstit+tion &i8es so 2an/ ass+rances in Part === t,at it 5o+!d 0e diffic+!t to t,in'
t,at t,e/ 5ere t,e !a/ t,in&s of a secia! 2a%orit/. <o ,o!d t,is 5o+!d 2ean ri2a facie t,at
t,e 2ost so!e2n arts of o+r (onstit+tion stand on t,e sa2e footin& as an/ ot,er ro8ision
and e8en on a !ess fir2 &ro+nd t,an one on 5,ic, t,e artic!e 2entioned in t,e ro8iso stand.
<,e ana2o!/ t,at Art. 226 s,o+!d 0e so2e5,at rotected 0+t not Art. 32 2+st &i8e +s a+se.
Artic!e 32 does not erect a s,ie!d a&ainst ri8ate cond+ct 0+t a&ainst state cond+ct inc!+din&
t,e !e&is!at+res ?9ee Art. 12@. (an t,e !e&is!at+re ta'e a5a/ t,is s,ie!d F Per,as 0/ adotin&
a !itera! constr+ction of Art. 368 one can sa/ t,at. #+t = a2 not inc!ined to !a/ a
&ra22arianGs ro!e. As at resent ad8ised = can on!/ sa/ t,at t,e o5er to 2a'e a2end2ents
o+&,t not ordinari!/ to 0e a 2eans of escae fro2 a0so!+te constit+tiona! restrictions.
52. 4or t,ese reasons t,o+&, = a&ree 5it, t,e order roosed, = 5o+!d not !i'e to 0e
+nderstood to ,a8e e;ressed a fina! oinion on t,e asect of t,e case o+t!ined a0o8e.
M"#ho<a'2 !.
53. = ,a8e seen t,e %+d&2ents of 2/ 3ord t,e (,ief )+stice and 2/ 0rot,er .ida/at+!!a, ).
and = a&ree t,at t,e Writ Petitions s,o+!d 0e dis2issed.
54. Of t,e 8ario+s contentio+s raised in 9an'ari Prasad 9in&, Deo 8. >nion of =ndia and 9tate
of #i,ar ?H1952I 9.(.". 89@ in 5,ic, t,e (onstit+tion ?4irst A2end2ent@ Act, 1951 5as
c,a!!en&ed 0efore t,is (o+rt on!/ t5o 5o+!d 0e re!e8ant in t,e conte;t of t,e (onstit+tion
?9e8enteent, A2end2ent@ Act, 1964. <,e/ are : ?a@ 5,et,er t,e A2end2ent Act in so far as
it +rorts to ta'e a5a/ or a0rid&e t,e ri&,tG conferred 0/ Part === of t,e (onstit+tion fa!!s
5it,in t,e ro,i0ition of Art. 13?2@ and ?0@ 5,et,er Arts. 31A and 31# see' to 2a'e c,an&es
in Arts. 132, 136 or 226 or in an/ of t,e 3ists in t,e 9e8ent, 9c,ed+!e and, t,erefore, t,e
re1+ire2ents of t,e ro8iso to Art. 368 ,ad to 0e satisfied. #ot, t,ese contentions 5ere
ne&ati8ed 0/ t,is (o+rt. <,e first contention ,as not 0een raised in t,e ar&+2ents 0efore +s
and t,e attac' on t,e 9e8enteent, A2end2ent Act 5as 0ased on!/ on t,e second contention.
*ost of t,e &ro+nds 5,ic, !earned co+nse! +r&ed 0efore +s 5ere t,e sa2e as t,ose +r&ed in
t,e ear!ier case. 9o2e additiona! ar&+2ents 5ere a!so +r&ed 0efore +s 0+t, as 2/ 3ord t,e
(,ief )+stice ,as ointed o+t, t,e/ are +ns+0stantia!. An atte2t 5as 2ade 0/ *r. *ani,
!earned co+nse! for t,e etitioners, to ers+ade +s to reconsider t,e decision in t,e ear!ier case
5it, re&ard to t,e second contention. As, ,o5e8er, no case 5as 2ade o+t 0/ ,i2 for
reconsideration of t,at decision 5e inti2ated to ,i2 t,at 5e do not roose to reconsider it.
55. 9ince 2/ 3ord t,e (,ief )+stice in ,is %+d&2ents ,as dea!t 5it, t,e first contention a!so
and e;ressed t,e 8ie5 t,at t,e re8io+s decision is ri&,t = t,in' it necessar/ to sa/, art!/ for
t,e reasons stated 0/ 2/ !earned 0rot,er .ida/at+!!a, ). and art!/ for so2e ot,er reasons,
t,at = 5o+!d reser8e 2/ oinion on t,is 1+estion and t,at = do not re&ard 5,at t,is (o+rt ,as
,e!d in t,at case as t,e !ast 5ord.
56. =t see2s to 2e t,at in 2a'in& t,e 8ie5 t,at t,e 5ord D!a5D occ+rrin& in Art. 13?2@ of t,e
(onstit+tion does not inc!+de an a2end2ent to t,e (onstit+tion t,is (o+rt ,as not 0orne in
2ind so2e i2ortant considerations 5,ic, 5o+!d 0e re!e8ant for t,e +rose. <,e !an&+a&e
of Art. 368 is !ain eno+&, to s,o5 t,at t,e action of Par!ia2ent in a2endin& t,e
(onstit+tion is a !e&is!ati8e act !i'e one in e;ercise of its nor2a! !e&is!ati8e o5er. <,e on!/
difference in resect of an a2end2ent of t,e (onstit+tion is t,at t,e #i!! a2endin& t,e
(onstit+tion ,as to 0e assed 0/ a secia! 2a%orit/ ?,ere = ,a8e in 2ind on!/ t,ose
a2end2ents 5,ic, do not attract t,e ro8iso to Art. 368@. <,e res+!t of a !e&is!ati8e action of
a !e&is!at+re cannot 0e ot,er t,an G!a5G and, t,erefore, it see2s to 2e t,at t,e fact t,at t,e
!e&is!ation dea!s 5it, t,e a2end2ent of a ro8ision of t,e (onstit+tion 5o+!d not 2a'e its
res+!t an/ t,e !ess a G!a5G. Artic!e 368 does not sa/ t,at 5,en Par!ia2ent 2a'es an
a2end2ent to t,e (onstit+tion it ass+2es a different caacit/, t,at of a constit+ent 0od/. As
s+&&ested 0/ 2/ !earned 0rot,er .ida/at+!!a, ). it is oen to do+0t 5,et,er t,is Artic!e
confers an/ s+c, o5er +on Par!ia2ent. #+t e8en ass+2in& t,at it does, it can on!/ 0e
re&arded as an additiona! !e&is!ati8e o5er.
5C. <,en a&ain 5,i!e t,e (onstit+tion as ori&ina!!/ fra2ed can on!/ 0e interreted 0/ a co+rt
of !a5 and t,e 8a!idit/ of no ro8ision t,erein can 0e c,a!!en&ed t,e sa2e cannot 0e said of
an a2end2ent to t,e (onstit+tion. 4or an a2end2ent to 0e treated as a art of t,e
(onstit+tion it 2+st in fact and in !a5 ,a8e 0eco2e a art of t,e (onstit+tion. W,et,er it ,as
0eco2e a art of t,e (onstit+tion is t,+s a 1+estion oen to %+dicia! re8ie5. =t is o08io+s t,at
an a2end2ent 2+st co2!/ 5it, t,e re1+ire2ents of t,e (onstit+tion and s,o+!d not
trans&ress an/ of its ro8isions. W,ere, t,erefore, a c,a!!en&e is 2ade 0efore t,e (o+rt on t,e
&ro+nd t,at no a2end2ent ,ad in fact 0een 2ade or on t,e &ro+nd t,at it 5as not a 8a!id
a2end2ent it 5i!! 0e 0ot, t,e d+t/ of t,e (o+rt as 5e!! as 0e and 5it,in its o5er to e;a2ine
t,e 1+estion and to rono+nce +on it. <,is is recise!/ 5,at a (o+rt is co2etent to do in
re&ard to an/ ot,er !a5, t,e 8a!idit/ of 5,ic, is i2+&ned 0efore it.
58. Neit,er of t,ese 2atters aears to ,a8e 0een considered in 9an'ari PrasadGs case ?H1952I
9.(.". 89@ and = t,in' t,at t,e/ do 2erit consideration.
59. */ 3ord t,e (,ief )+stice ,as o0ser8ed t,at t,o+&,t in A - $oa!an 8. <,e 9tate of
*adras ?H1950I 9.(.". 88@ Patan%a!i 9astri )., ?as ,er t,en 5as@ ,as said t,at f+nda2enta!
ri&,ts are t,ose ri&,ts 5,ic, t,e eo!e ,a8e reser8ed for t,e2se!8es t,at !earned )+d&e ,as
e2,atica!!/ stated in =n re <,e De!,i 3a5s Act, 1912 ?H1951I 9.(.". C4C@ t,at Par!ia2ent,
actin& 5it,in t,e !i2its of its !e&is!ati8e o5er, ,as !enar/ o5ers of !e&is!ation 5,ic, are as
!ar&e and 5,ic, are of t,e sa2e nat+re as t,ose of t,e #ritis, Par!ia2ent and re%ected t,e
s+&&estion t,at Par!ia2ent is t,e de!e&ate of t,e eo!e in 5,o2 t,e so8erei&nt/ rests. #+t
does it fo!!o5 t,at t,e !earned )+d&e ,as dearted fro2 ,is ear!ier 8ie5 F No reference 5as
2ade 0/ ,i2 in 9an'ari PrasadGs case ?H1952I 9.(.". 89@ to ,is o0ser8ations t,o+&, t,e/
needed to 0e e;!ained. =n t,e De!,i 3a5s Act case ,e ,as +ndo+0ted!/ said t,at Par!ia2ent
en%o/s !enar/ o5ers of !e&is!ation. <,at Par!ia2ent ,as !enar/ o5ers of !e&is!ation
5it,in t,e circ+2scri0ed !i2its of its !e&is!ati8e o5er and cannot 0e re&arded as a de!e&ate
of t,e eo!e 5,i!e e;ercisin& its !e&is!ati8e o5ers is a 5e!! acceted osition. <,e fact,
,o5e8er, re2ains t,at +n!i'e t,e #ritis, Par!ia2ent o+r Par!ia2ent, !i'e e8er/ ot,er or&an of
t,e 9tate, can f+nction on!/ 5it,in t,e !i2its of t,e o5ers 5,ic, t,e (onstit+tion ,as
conferred +on it. <,is 5o+!d a!so 0e so 5,en, in t,e e;ercise of its !e&is!ati8e o5er, it
2a'es an a2end2ent to t,e (onstit+tion or to an/ of its ro8isions. =t 5o+!d, t,erefore,
aear t,at t,e ear!ier o0ser8ation of Patan%a!i 9astri )., cannot 0e re&arded as inconsistent
5it, 5,at ,e ,as said =n t,e De!,i 3a5s Act case. At an/ rate, t,is is an asect of t,e 2atter
5,ic, re1+ires f+rt,er consideration, artic+!ar!/ 0eca+se t,e sa2e !earned )+d&e ,as not
ad8erted to t,ose o0ser8ations in 9an'ari PrasadGs case. =t is tr+e t,at 0/ 8irt+e of s. 8 of t,e
=ndian =ndeendence Act, 194C it 5as +on t,e (onstit+ent Asse20!/ 5,ic, fra2ed t,e
(onstit+tion and not +on t,e eo!e of =ndia A t,at so8erei&nt/ de8o!8ed after t,e
5it,dra5a! of t,e #ritis, o5er. #+t 0ot, t,e DO0%ecti8es "eso!+tionD adoted 0/ t,e
(onstit+ent Asse20!/ on )an+ar/ 22, 194C and t,e Prea20!e to t,e (onstit+tion s,o5 t,at
t,is so8erei&n 0od/ fra2ed t,e (onstit+tion in t,e na2e of t,e eo!e of =ndia and 0/ 8irt+e
of t,e o5ers deri8ed fro2 t,e2. =n t,e circ+2stances it 5o+!d ,a8e to 0e considered
5,et,er Patan%a!i 9astri )., 5as not ri&,t in sa/in& t,at t,e f+nda2enta! ri&,ts are t,e
2ini2+2 ri&,ts reser8ed 0/ t,e eo!e to t,e2se!8es and t,e/ are, t,erefore, +na!tera0!e.
60. =t is tr+e t,at t,e (onstit+tion does not direct!/ ro,i0it t,e a2end2ent of Part ===. #+t it
5o+!d indeed 0e stran&e t,at ri&,ts 5,ic, are considered to 0e f+nda2enta! and 5,ic,
inc!+de one 5,ic, is &+aranteed 0/ t,e (onstit+tion ?8ide Art. 32@ s,o+!d 0e 2ore easi!/
caa0!e of 0ein& a0rid&ed or restricted t,an an/ of t,e 2atters referred to in t,e ro8iso to
Art. 368 so2e of 5,ic, are er,as !ess 8ita! t,an f+nda2enta! ri&,ts. =t is ossi0!e, as
s+&&ested 0/ 2/ !earned 0rot,er, t,at Art. 368 2ere!/ !a/s do5n t,e roced+re to 0e
fo!!o5ed for a2endin& t,e (onstit+tion and does not confer a o5er to a2end t,e
(onstit+tion 5,ic,, = t,in', ,as to 0e ascertained fro2 t,e ro8ision so+&,t to 0e a2ended or
ot,er re!e8ant ro8isions or t,e rea20!e. <,e ar&+2ent t,at if f+nda2enta! ri&,ts are
re&arded as +nc,an&ea0!e it 5i!! ,a2er !e&is!ation 5,ic, t,e c,an&in& needs of a d/na2ic
societ/ 2a/ ca!! for in f+t+re is 5ei&,t/ eno+&, and 2erits consideration. =t is ossi0!e t,at
t,ere 2a/ 0e an ans5er. <,e ri&,ts en+2erated in Art. 19?1@ can 0e s+0%ected to reasona0!e
restrictions +nder c!s. ?2@ to ?6@ of Art. 19 and t,e ot,er f+nda2enta! ri&,ts A or at !east 2an/
of t,e2 A can er,as 0e adated to 2eet t,e needs of a c,an&in& societ/ 5it, t,e aid of t,e
directi8e rinci!es. 4or, Art. 3C, t,e second Artic!e in Part =7 5,ic, dea!s 5it, GDirecti8e
Princi!es of 9tates Po!ic/G, i2oses a d+t/ on t,e 9tate to a!/ t,ose directi8e rinci!es in
2a'in& !a5s. <,ese rinci!es are a!so f+nda2enta! in t,e &o8ernance of t,e co+ntr/ and t,e
ro8isions of Part === of t,e (onstit+tion 2+st 0e interreted ,ar2onio+s!/ 5it, t,ose
rinci!es. <,is is a!so an asect of t,e 2atter 5,ic, re1+ires consideration.
61. We 2a/ a!so ,a8e to 0ear in 2ind t,e fact t,at o+r in a 5ritten (onstit+tion. <,e
(onstit+ent Asse20!/ 5,ic, 5as t,e reositor/ of so8erei&nt/ co+!d 5e!! ,a8e created a
so8erei&n Par!ia2ent on t,e #ritis, 2ode!. #+t instead it enacted a 5ritten (onstit+tion,
created t,ree or&ans of 9tate, 2ade t,e +nion e;ec+ti8e resonsi0!e to Par!ia2ent and t,e
9tate e;ec+ti8es to t,e 9tate !e&is!at+resB erected a federa! str+ct+re and distri0+ted !e&is!ati8e
o5er 0et5een Par!ia2ent and t,e 9tate !e&is!at+resB reco&nised certain ri&,ts as f+nda2enta!
and ro8ided for t,eir enforce2entB rescri0ed for2s of oat,s of office or affir2ations 5,ic,
re1+ire t,ose 5,o s+0scri0e to t,e2 to o5e tr+e a!!e&iance to t,e (onstit+tion and f+rt,er
re1+ire t,e 2e20ers of t,e >nion )+diciar/ and of t,e ,i&,er %+diciar/ in t,e 9tates, to
+,o!d t,e (onstit+tion. A0o8e a!!, it for2+!ated a so!e2n and di&nified rea20!e 5,ic,
aears to 0e an eito2e of t,e 0asic feat+res of t,e (onstit+tion. (an it not 0e said t,at t,ese
are indicia of t,e intention of t,e (onstit+ent Asse20!/ to &i8e a er2anenc/ to t,e 0asic
feat+res of t,e (onstit+tion F
62. =t is a!so a 2atter for consideration 5,et,er 2a'in& a c,an&e in a 0asis feat+re of t,e
(onstit+tion can 0e re&arded 2ere!/ as an a2end2ent or 5o+!d it 0e, in effect, re5ritin& a
art of t,e (onstit+tion and if t,e !atter, 5o+!d it 0e 5it,in t,e +r8ie5 of Art. 368 F
63. <,e (onstit+tion ,as en%oined on e8er/ 2e20er of Par!ia2ent 0efore enterin& +on ,is
office to ta'e an oat, or 2a'e an affir2ation to t,e effect t,at ,e 5i!! 0ear tr+e fait, and
a!!e&iance to t,e (onstit+tion. On t,e ot,er ,and +nder Art. 368 a roced+re is rescri0ed for
a2endin& t,e (onstit+tion. =f +on a !itera! interretation of t,is ro8ision an a2end2ent
e8en of t,e 0asic feat+res of t,e (onstit+tion 5o+!d 0e ossi0!e it 5i!! 0e a 1+estion for
consideration as to ,o5 ,ar2onise t,e d+t/ of a!!e&iance to t,e (onstit+tion 5it, t,e o5er
to 2a'e an a2end2ent to it. (o+!d t,e t5o 0e ,ar2onised 0/ e;c!+din& fro2 t,e roced+re
for a2end2ent, a!teration of a 0asic feat+re of t,e (onstit+tion F =t 5o+!d 0e of interest to
2ention t,at t,e 9+re2e (o+rt of Pa'istan ,as, in *r. 4aK!+! 6+ader (,o5d,r/ 8. *r.
*o,d A0d+! .a1+e ?1963 P.3.D. 486@ ,e!d t,at franc,ise and for2 of &o8ern2ent are
f+nda2enta! feat+res of a (onstit+tion and t,e o5er conferred +on t,e President 0/ t,e
(onstit+tion of Pa'istan to re2o8e diffic+!ties does not e;tend to 2a'in& an a!teration in a
f+nda2enta! feat+re of t,e (onstit+tion. 4or stri'in& do5n t,e action of t,e President +nder,
5,at ,e ca!!s Gs+0Aconstit+tiona! o5erG (orne!i+s (.)., re!ied on t,e )+d&esG oat, of office.
After 1+otin& t,e fo!!o5in& assa&e fro2 (oo!e/Gs (onstit+tiona! 3i2itations :
D4or t,e constit+tion of t,e state is ,i&,er in a+t,orit/ t,an an/ !a5, direction, or order 2ade
0/ an/0od/ or an/ officer ass+2in& to act +nder it, since s+c, 0od/ or officer 2+st e;ercise a
de!e&ated a+t,orit/, and one t,at 2+st necessari!/ 0e s+0ser8ient to t,e instr+2ent 0/ 5,ic,
t,e de!e&ation is 2ade. =n an/ case of conf!ict t,e f+nda2enta! !a5 2+st &o8ern, and t,e act
in conf!ict 5it, it 2+st 0e treated as of no !e&a! 8a!idit/.D <,e !earned (,ief )+stice
o0ser8ed :
<o decide +on t,e 1+estion of constit+tiona! 8a!idit/ in re!ation to an act of a stat+tor/
a+t,orit/, ,o5A,i&,AsoAe8er, is a d+t/ de8o!8in& ordinari!/ +on t,e s+erior (o+rts 0/ 8irt+e
of t,eir office, and in t,e a0sence of an/ 0ar eit,er e;ress or i2!ied 5,ic, stands in t,e
5a/ of t,at d+t/ 0ein& erfor2ed in resect of t,e Order ,ere in 1+estion it is a resonsi0i!it/
5,ic, cannot 0e a8oided.D ?. 506@
64. <,e o0ser8ations and t,e assa&e fro2 (oo!e/, 1+oted ,ere for con8enience s+ort 5,at
= ,a8e said ear!ier re&ardin& t,e o5er of t,e (o+rts to rono+nce +on t,e 8a!idit/ of
a2end2ents to t,e (onstit+tion.
65. <,e (onstit+tion indicates t,ree 2odes of a2end2ents and ass+2in& t,at t,e ro8isions
of Art. 368 confer o5er on Par!ia2ent to a2end t,e constit+tion, it 5i!! sti!! ,a8e to 0e
considered 5,et,er as !on& as t,e rea20!e stands +na2ended, t,at o5er can 0e e;ercised
5it, resect to an/ of t,e 0asic feat+res of t,e (onstit+tion.
66. <o i!!+strate 2a/ oint, as !on& as t,e 5ords Gso8erei&n de2ocratic re+0!icG are t,ere,
co+!d t,e (onstit+tion 0e a2ended so as to deart fro2 t,e de2ocratic for2 of $o8ern2ent
or its re+0!ic c,aracter F =f t,at cannot 0e done, t,en, as !on& as t,e 5ords D)+stice, socia!
econo2ic and o!itica! etc.,D are t,ere co+!d an/ of t,e ri&,ts en+2erated in Arts. 14, to 19,
21, 25, 31 and 32 0e ta'en a5a/ F =f t,e/ cannot, it 5i!! 0e for consideration 5,et,er t,e/ can
0e 2odified.
6C. =t ,as 0een said, no do+0t, t,at t,e rea20!e is not a art of o+r (onstit+tion. #+t, = t,in',
t,at if +on a co2arison of t,e rea20!e 5it, t,e 0road feat+res of t,e (onstit+tion it 5o+!d
aear t,at t,e rea20!e is an eito2e of t,ose feat+res or, to +t it different!/ if t,ese
feat+res are an a2!ification or concretisation of t,e concets set o+t in t,e rea20!e it 2a/
,a8e to considered 5,et,er t,e rea20!e is not a art of t,e (onstit+tion. W,i!e considerin&
t,is 1+estion it 5o+!d 0e of re!e8ance to 0ear in 2ind t,at t,e rea20!e is not of t,e co22on
r+n s+c, as is to 0e fo+nd in an Act of a !e&is!at+re. =t ,as sta2 of dee de!i0eration and is
2ar'ed 0/ recision. Wo+!d t,is not s+&&est t,at t,e fra2ers of t,e (onstit+tion attac,ed
secia! si&nificance to it F
68. =n 8ie5 of t,ese considerations and t,ose 2entioned 0/ 2/ !earned 0rot,er .ida/at+!!a,
). = fee! re!+ctant to e;ress a definite oinion on t,e 1+estion 5,et,er t,e 5ord G!a5G in Art.
13 ?2@ of t,e (onstit+tion e;c!+des an Act of Par!ia2ent a2endin& t,e (onstit+tion and a!so
5,et,er it is co2etent to Par!ia2ent to 2a'e an/ a2end2ent at a!! to Part === of t,e
(onstit+tion.
69. =n so far as t,e second contention is concerned = &enera!!/ a&ree 5it, 5,at 2/ 3ord t,e
(,ief )+stice ,as said 0+t 5o+!d on!/ !i'e to add t,is : >on t,e ass+2tion t,at Par!ia2ent
can a2end Part === of t,e (onstit+tion and 5as, t,erefor, co2etent to enact t,erein Artic!es
31A and 31# as a!so to a2end t,e definition of GestateG, t,e 1+estion sti!! re2ains 5,et,er it
co+!d 8a!idate a 9tate !a5 dea!in& 5it, !and. = ta'e it t,at on!/ t,at !e&is!at+re ,as o5er to
8a!idate a !a5 5,ic, ,as t,e o5er to enact t,at !a5. 9ince t,e a&rarian !a5s inc!+ded in t,e
Nint, 9c,ed+!e and so+&,t to 0e rotected 0/ Art. 31# co+!d not ,a8e 0een enacted 0/
Par!ia2ent, 5o+!d it 0e ri&,t to sa/ t,at Par!ia2ent co+!d 8a!idate t,e2 F =f Par!ia2ent co+!d
a2end Part === it co+!d, indeed, re2o8e t,e i2edi2ent in t,e 5a/ of t,e 9tate 3e&is!at+res
0/ enactin& Art. 31A and a2endin& t,e definition of GestateG. #+t co+!d it &o to t,e e;tent it
5ent 5,en it enacted t,e 4irst A2end2ent Act and t,e Nint, 9c,ed+!e and ,as no5 added
44 2ore a&rarian !a5s to it F Or 5as it inco2etent to it to &o 0e/ond enactin& Art. 31A in
1950 and no5 0e/ond a2endin& t,e definition of estate F <,is, ,o5e8er, does not aear to
,a8e 0een considered in 9an'ari PrasadGs case ?H1952I 9.(.". 89@ nor 5as s+c, an ar&+2ent
ad8anced 0efore +s in t,is case. = a2 on!/ 2entionin& t,is to 2a'e it c!ear t,at e8en in so far
as t,e second contention is concerned = 0ase 2/ decision on t,e narro5 &ro+nd t,at +on t,e
ar&+2ents ad8anced 0efore +s no case ,as 0een 2ade o+t for stri'in& do5n t,e 9e8enteent,
A2end2ent.
C0. As indicated in t,e %+d&2ent of 2/ 3ord t,e (,ief )+stice an a2end2ent 2ade 0/ resort
to t,e first art of Art. 368 co+!d 0e str+c' do5n +on a &ro+nd s+c, as ta'in& a5a/ t,e
%+risdiction of t,e .i&, (o+rts +nder Art. 226 or of t,is (o+rt +nder Art. 136 5it,o+t
co2!/in& 5it, t,e re1+ire2ents of t,e ro8iso. <o t,is = 5o+!d !i'e to add t,at if t,e effect
of an a2end2ent is to c+rtai! s+0stantia!!/, t,o+&, indirect!/, t,e %+risdiction of .i&, (o+rts
+nder Art. 226 or of t,is (o+rt +nder Art. 136 and reco+rse ,as not 0een ,ad to t,e ro8iso to
Art. 368 t,e 1+estion 5,et,er t,e a2end2ent 5as a co!o+ra0!e e;ercise of o5er 0/
Par!ia2ent 5i!! 0e re!e8ant for consideration.
C1. #efore = art 5it, t,is case = 5is, to 2a'e it c!ear t,at 5,at = ,a8e said in t,is %+d&2ent
is not an e;ression of 2/ fina! oinion 0+t on!/ an e;ression of certain do+0ts 5,ic, ,a8e
assai!ed 2e re&ardin& a 1+estion of ara2o+nt i2ortance to t,e citiKens of o+r co+ntr/ : to
'no5 5,et,er t,e 0asic feat+res of t,e (onstit+tion +nder 5,ic, 5e !i8e and to 5,ic, 5e
o5e a!!e&iance are to end+re for a!! ti2e A or at !east for t,e forseea0!e f+t+re A or 5,et,er
t,e/ are no 2ore end+rin& t,an t,e i2!e2enta! and s+0ordinate ro8isions of t,e
(onstit+tion.
C2. Petitions dis2issed.