Fundamental Duties Part-4

Criticism of Fundamental Duties:-                 

The Fundamental Duties mentioned in Part IVA of the Constitution have been criticized on the following grounds:

1. The list of duties is not exhaustive  as is does not cover other important duties like casting vote, paying taxes, family planning and so on. In fact, duty to pay taxes was recommended by the Swaran Sing Committee.                                                                                                              
2. Some of the duties are vague, ambiguous and difficult to be understood by the common msn. For example, different interpretations can be given to the phrases like ‘noble ideals’, ‘composite culture’, ‘scientific temper’ and so on.                                                                                   
3. They have be3en de4scribed by the critics as a code of moral precepts due to their non-justifiable character. Interestingly, the Swaran Singh Committee had suggested for4 penalty or punishment for the non-performance of Fundamental Duties.                                                             
4. Their inclusion in the Constitution was described by the critics as superfluous. This is because the duties included in the Constitution as fundamental would be performed by the people even though they were not incorporated in the Constitution.                                                       
5. The critics said that the inclusion of fundamental duties as an appendage to Part IV of the Constitution has reduced their value and significance. They should have been added after Part III so as to keep them on par with Fundamental Rights.