Fundamental duties of citizens also equally important as rights

Chennai,Jan. 26 (PTI): Fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution is non-negotiable, but fundamental duties of the citizens are also equally important as rights, though non enforceable, the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court Indira Banerjee said today.

“We have a duty to renounce practises derogatory to the dignity of women, to protect and improve forests, lakes,rivers and wildlife, to have compassion for living creatures, to develop humanism, to safeguard public property and to obscure violence,” she said in her Republic Day address at the High Court campus here.

Apart from this, one should take a pledge to have equal respect to all faiths, beliefs and religions, ensure equality of status and opportunity, ensure the dignity of individual, integrity of nation, she said.

Earlier, the Chief Justice spoke for about a minute in Tamil during the Republic Day celebrations.

The Chief Justice reminded the people that just as they are conscious of their fundamental rights, they should be equally conscious about their duties as incorporated in the Constitution.

She said it was the duty of citizens to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, respect the national flag and anthem, cherish and follow noble ideals which inspired the freedom struggle, uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, defend the country and render national service required upon to do so, promote harmony and spirit of brotherhood among people, transcending religious, linguistic, regional and sectional diversities.

“While we celebrate Republic day today, we salute all those great freedom fighters who made immense sacrifices to make this day a reality, we should pledge to have equal respect to all faiths, beliefs and religions, ensure equality of status and opportunity, ensure the dignity of individual, integrity of nation,” she added.