The article published in the editorial section of The Hindu Newspaper talks about how social and income inequalities have worsened since the time of independence.
The Article says that at the time of independence when the constituent assembly was drafting the constitution, their main aim was to reduce inequality and poverty, the makers wanted the state to play a positive role in reducing income inequalities.
The article also talks about how the Supreme Court has also played a positive role, but ever since the government adopted neo-liberal economic reforms, the situation has only worsened.
On November 26, 2024, India celebrated Constitution Day, marking 75 years since the Indian Constitution was adopted. This day honors the leaders who wrote the Constitution to build a united and fair country for everyone.
When the Constitution was created, India had many problems like poverty and inequality. The leaders wanted to ensure that everyone is treated equally and has the freedom to live their lives. They believed the government should help people who were poor or disadvantaged so that everyone could have the same opportunities.
The Constitution has rules to promote freedom and equality. It gives people basic rights, like the right to equality and education. It also guides the government to make policies to reduce poverty and help everyone live a better life. For example, it says that the wealth of the country should not be controlled by only a few people but shared more fairly.
The Supreme Court of India has consistently upheld the idea of reducing inequalities as part of the Constitution’s principles, especially in its rulings up until the 1990s. For example, in the D.S. Nakara & Others vs Union of India (1982) case, the Court emphasized that socialism in the Constitution means ensuring a decent standard of living and lifelong social security for workers, highlighting the importance of a welfare state.
Similarly, in the Air India Statutory Corporation vs United Labour Union (1996) case, the Court explained that the Constitution’s Preamble, Fundamental Rights, and Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) work together to create a fair and just society by protecting social and economic justice and ensuring equality of status and opportunities for all.
In the Samatha vs State of Andhra Pradesh (1997) case, the Court clarified that socialism in the Constitution involves reducing income inequalities and providing equal opportunities to build a more equitable society. Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, in the State of Karnataka vs Ranganatha Reddy case, interpreted Article 39(b) of the DPSP to mean that both public and private resources should be treated as community assets. This interpretation supported the redistribution of resources to reduce inequality and promote the common good.
However, in recent years, the Supreme Court has moved away from this interpretation. It has overturned decisions on resource redistribution without fully considering Article 39(c), which allows the state to regulate the economy to prevent wealth concentration and promote equality.
This article than talks about how economic and social inequality in India has become worse, especially after the government adopted neoliberal economic reforms in the 1990s. These reforms focused on reducing the government’s role in helping people and giving more importance to private businesses and investments. This change has made the gap between the rich and the poor much bigger.
Before India became independent, the richest 1% of people owned about 21% of the country’s income. After independence, the government introduced welfare policies to help reduce this gap, and by the 1980s, the top 1% owned only 6% of the income. However, after the 1990s reforms, the gap started widening again. By 2022-23, the richest 1% owned 22.6% of the income, which is worse than before independence.
Reports show that income inequality is very high. The top 10% of people in India earn more than ₹25,000 per month, while 90% of the population earns less than that. This shows that most people in India are struggling financially while a small group of rich people is getting wealthier.
There is also a connection between economic inequality and social inequality. Wealth is mostly controlled by upper castes, who own 90% of the wealth of billionaires. Scheduled Tribes have no representation in this wealth, while Scheduled Castes and OBCs have very little. From 2014 to 2022, the wealth of OBCs decreased from 20% to 10%, while the wealth of upper castes increased from 80% to 90%. This means that upper castes are getting richer while others are being left behind.
The number of billionaires in India has also increased a lot, from just 9 in 2000 to 119 in 2023. A report showed that it would take a minimum wage worker 941 years to earn what a top corporate executive earns in one year. This shows how unfair the system has become.
The Indian Constitution aims to create a fair and equal society by reducing income and social inequality. However, the current economic policies are making things worse. The article warns that if inequality continues to grow, it will harm democracy and justice in India. It calls for everyone to think about whether the country’s policies are in line with the goals of the Constitution.
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The Editorial Page of The Hindu is an essential reading for all the students aspiring for UPSC, SSC, PCS, Judiciary etc or any other competitive government exams.
This may also be useful for exams like CUET UG and CUET PG, GATE, GMAT, GRE AND CAT
To read this article in Hindi –https://bhaarat.hellostudent.co.in/