Fraternity: Definition and Meaning

Fraternity refers to a sense of acquaintance and connection to one's nation among its people. "Fraternity is the sentiment of shared brotherhood and sisterhood among all Indians," writes Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. "We will be no deeper than coats of paint without fraternity, equality, and liberty," he was certain. A group of soldiers fighting alongside one another in a battle is a great illustration of fraternity. According to the Indian Constitution's norms and regulations in the preamble, the fraternity assures two things very clearly: human dignity and national integrity.

Fraternity and Integrity

According to the Preamble, fraternity protects human dignity and national integrity. The term "integrity" was added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976.

• The phrase "dignity of the individual" signifies that the Constitution not only ensures material growth and the survival of a democratic system but also recognizes the value of each individual's personality.

• The terms "national unity and integrity" refer to the psychological and geographical aspects of national integration.

• Article 1 of the Constitution refers to India as a "Union of States" to emphasize the indestructibility of the Indian Union by emphasizing that the States have no power to secede from it.

• Its goal is to reduce barriers to national integration such as communalism, regionalism, casteism, and secessionism.

• Separating one from the other undermines democracy's basic purpose of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

What is Meaning of Fraternity?

The term fraternity comes from the French phrase fraternité, which denotes brotherhood, friendship, community, and partnership (Asthana 1992: 118). In all of these ways, Ambedkar valued fraternity when drafting India's Constitution.

He described fraternity as "a feeling of genuine brotherhood among all Indians—if Indians are regarded as a single nation." "It is the concept that ensures the unity and solidarity of social existence." "Without fraternity, equality, and liberty, they are only coats of paint," he argued. "Fraternity, liberty, and equality could not become a natural flow of events without fraternity," he asserted. A constable would be needed to enforce them.

According to the Constitution, fraternity is a critical source for affirming "the dignity of the person" and the "unity" of the nation. The former is accomplished through recognizing people's moral equality, which is maintained through mutual respect, notwithstanding our differences in religious belief, language, culture, tradition, caste, color, ethnicity, class, and gender.

Fraternity Provisions in the Constitution

It includes −

• According to Ambedkar, the concepts of liberty, equality, and fraternity should not be considered individually.

• They form a trinity in the sense that removing one from the other undermines democracy's core purpose.

• The 42nd constitutional amendment legislation provided the ideas with concrete form. It set basic obligations. It is every citizen's obligation, according to Article 51A (e), to foster concord and a sense of shared brotherhood.

• According to India's Preamble, fraternity is required for both individual dignity and national unity.

Fraternity in the Indian Context

These are−

• According to the Preamble, fraternity ensures two things: human dignity and national integrity.

• The term "integrity" was inserted in 1976 by the 42nd Amendment Act.

• "Dignity of the individual" means that the Constitution not only provides material advancement and a democratic framework but also recognizes that every individual's personality is precious.

• However, fraternity cannot exist unless each individual's dignity is safeguarded and cherished.

• Individuals must be granted some basic justiciable rights in order to protect their dignity.

• The phrase "national unity and integrity" refers to both the psychological and territorial dimensions of national integration.

• Article 1 of the Constitution refers to India as a "Union of States" to emphasize that the States have no authority to separate from the Union and to emphasize the Indian Union's indestructibility.

• Single citizenship will help encourage this.

• The overarching purpose of fraternity is to break down societal boundaries such as caste, class, color, religion, and so on.

• In the sense that isolating one from the other weakens democracy's primary goal, liberty, equality, and fraternity form a trinity.

Conclusion

The term "fraternity" refers to a brotherly feeling and an emotional tie to a country and its people. It's a notion that makes you feel as though everyone is related and originates from the same soil. Brotherhood is a link that transcends society's conventions and bounds; it is a tie that transcends caste, age, and gender. Fraternity contributes to the nation's dignity and coherence.

FAQs

Q1. What is fraternity in the Indian Constitution?

Ans. Fraternity essentially implies that all citizens should act as though they are members of the same family. Nobody should regard a citizen as less than human. It strives for equality and the same rights and responsibilities for all.

Q2. What is the importance of fraternity?

Ans. Fraternity not only serves as a tether between unity and equality, but it also gives rise to new rights that aid in the constitutional aim of an equitable society. The right to live in dignity and respect, free from oppression and obscurity.

Q3. What provisions of the Constitution emphasize fraternity?

Ans. The Constitution creates a sense of brotherhood by providing a unified citizenship structure. Article 51A of the Fundamental Duties states that it is every citizen's obligation to foster unity and a sense of common brotherhood among all Indians, regardless of religious, linguistic, regional, or sectorial distinctions.

Q4. In the preamble, what role does fraternity play?

Ans. Fraternity refers to a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood among the people of a country, as well as a sense of belonging. According to the Preamble, the fraternity must secure two things: the dignity of the person and the unity and integrity of the nation.

Q5. What are some examples of the fraternity?

Ans. A fraternity is a brotherhood or social gathering of men with similar interests and experiences. A fraternity, such as Sigma Chi, is a university organization. A fraternity is a group of men who fight together. The state of being brothers or brotherly is defined as "brotherhood."

Q6. Who gave the concept of fraternity?

Ans. In all of these ways, Ambedkar emphasized brotherhood when creating India's Constitution. "Fraternity," he explained, "means a sense of mutual brotherhood among all Indians—if Indians are viewed as a people."