Why is the 42nd amendment called a ‘mini Constitution’?
The 42nd amendment was a wide ranging amendment affecting large parts of the constitution. It was also an attempt to override the ruling of the Supreme Court given in the Keshvananda Bharati case. Duration of the Lok Sabha was extended from five to six years. This amendment put restrictions on the review powers of the Judiciary. The amendment made changes to the Preamble, to the seventh schedule of the Constitution, and to 53 articles of the constitution. Due to these voluminous changes in the Constituion, 42nd amendment was called a mini constitution.
What would you say about each of these statements?
(a) The constitution is live any other law. If simply tells us what are the rules and regulations governing the government.
(b) The constitution is the expression of the will of the people, so there must be a provision to change the constitution after every ten or fifteen years.
(c) The constitution is a statement of the philosophy of the country. It can never be changed.
(d) The constitution is a sacred document. Therefore any talk of changing it is against democracy.
What is the significance of the ‘Special Majority’ required for amending the certain articles of the constitution?
Which two factors have made India's constitution a living document rather than a closed and static rulebook?
What is meant by the term Equality as given in the Preamble of the Constitution?
