Indian Constitution and Polity

Basic Structure Doctrine establishes limited government by preventing the state from performing cosmetic surgery of the Constitution and destroying its core identity. Elaborate?

The Basic Structure Doctrine is a judicial principle that safeguards the fundamental framework of a constitution, ensuring limited government intervention. This doctrine prevents the state from altering the core identity of the Constitution through amendments that could undermine its essential features.

Key aspects include:

- Protection of Fundamental Rights: The doctrine ensures that amendments cannot infringe upon basic rights, preserving individual freedoms.

- Separation of Powers: It maintains the distinct roles of the legislative, executive, and judiciary, preventing any branch from overstepping its authority.

- Federalism: The doctrine upholds the distribution of powers between central and state governments, ensuring local autonomy.

For example, in the landmark case of Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), the Supreme Court of India established that while amendments are permissible, they cannot alter the Constitution's basic structure. Thus, the Basic Structure Doctrine is vital for maintaining constitutional integrity and democratic governance.