In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of the Fundamental Rights?

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Q: 14 (IAS/2023)
In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of the Fundamental Rights?

question_subject: 

Polity

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,39,34,39,26,6,2

The Constitutional Amendment in India that was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of the Fundamental Rights is:

Option 1: 1st Amendment

The 1st Amendment to the Indian Constitution was enacted in 1951. It introduced several changes to the original provisions of the Constitution, including amendments to the Fundamental Rights. The primary purpose of the 1st Amendment was to address certain judicial interpretations that had raised concerns about the scope and limitations of the Fundamental Rights.

The Supreme Court of India had given a broad interpretation to the Fundamental Rights, emphasizing the protection of individual liberties. However, this interpretation was seen by some as potentially hindering the government's ability to implement social and economic reforms. The 1st Amendment was passed to clarify and redefine the scope of the Fundamental Rights, striking a balance between individual rights and the state's authority to implement welfare measures.

The 1st Amendment made specific changes to Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees certain freedoms, such as the freedom of speech, expression, and assembly. It added reasonable restrictions on these rights to allow the government to impose limitations in the interest of public order, morality, and the sovereignty and integrity of India.

While the other options mentioned in the question (42nd Amendment, 44th Amendment, and 86th Amendment) also brought about significant changes to the Constitution, they were not primarily aimed at overcoming judicial interpretations of the Fundamental Rights. The 42nd Amendment, for example, was enacted during the period of Emergency in India and made substantial amendments to various provisions of the Constitution, including expanding the powers of the executive. The 44th Amendment, on the other hand, was enacted to restore certain democratic rights and limit the power of the government during the Emergency period. The 86th Amendment introduced the right to education as a fundamental right.