Our politicians frequently seem to invoke the Constitution to justify their ludicrous statements. When one puts the Constitution on the highest pedestal, it is simply a lack of understanding of both Indian culture and history. Firstly, the majority of Indians do not adhere to any one “book” or set of fixed doctrines. We are a conglomerate of many traditions, with even the religions that came from an alien land transforming into traditions and integrating into Indian culture. In its basic configuration, a traditional world primarily consists of “indifference to differences.” The ultimate goal of the individual and culture, as Sri Aurobindo said, is moksa, and for this, there are multiple books, multiple teachers, and multiple methods (Karma, Bhakti, Jnana, and so on) individualised to the individual or the community on the path.
Guru-shishya paramparas and sampradayas are extremely vital in this configuration of the traditional world, where multiple paths exist. All major philosophies in Indian culture, including the orthodox (Vedic) and non-orthodox (Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh), emphasise karma, rebirths, moksha, living gurus, multiple texts, and the freedom to choose different spiritual and material paths to achieve the ultimate purpose of life. Dharma is the essence of a wide range of books and paths.
The exception is the less popular Charvakism, also known as materialism, which advocates for a single life and a positive life. Unlike popular belief, even Charvakism does not imply adhering to adharmic or hedonistic principles. Our Rishis were very intelligent people. In any society, there will always be fake gurus and shishyas, but Indian spiritual masters meticulously distinguished the genuine from the fake. Adi Shankaracharya’s Vivekachudamani, for example, emphasises the ideal qualities of the guru and student, as well as how to best identify each other.
Viewing the Constitution, a human-made legal document, as a sacred and holy text that cannot be altered without causing violence actually undermines the understanding of Sanatani culture. Another aspect that the Constitution defenders seem to forget is the fact that, since independence, the Constitution appears to be the most pliable and flexible document in the world. The Constitution’s inviolability appears to be in jeopardy, given that the first amendment in 1951 occurred only a year and a half after it was declared the most significant document to elevate the new democracy. The then-government found that the Constitution significantly interfered with its policies. The Supreme Court was intervening in matters relating to Zamindari abolition, press freedom, and caste-based discrimination in education. The government used the Constitution itself and persuaded the President to amend it, particularly Articles 15 and 19.
The Constitution has undergone 106 changes since its inception in 1950, nearly every eight months, which may surprise some. While there are numerous reasons to criticise the BJP government, these criticisms often stem from ignorance. If this is any relief, the BJP government has amended the Constitution only eight times, or once every 15 months. Before 2014, the various governments changed the Constitution 98 times. Therefore, perceiving the Constitution as a sacred text that provides eternal solutions for all Indians is a fundamental misinterpretation of both our traditions and the events that followed the Constitution’s inception.
RANDOM MUSINGS 