Constitution ko “living document” bola jata hai, isliye Parliament ko amend karne ka power diya gaya hai. Lekin kya Parliament kuch bhi change kar sakti hai? Yahin se nikal kar aata hai famous Basic Structure Doctrine.
Is doctrine ke mutabik, Parliament important amendments kar sakti hai, but wo Constitution ki “basic structure” ko destroy ya abrogate nahi kar sakti. Basic structure koi single list nahi, balki principles ka set hai jo courts ne time ke saath recognize kiya – jaise supremacy of Constitution, rule of law, judicial review, separation of powers, federalism, fundamental rights, free and fair elections, etc.
Jab bhi koi amendment challenge hota hai, court do cheeze dekhta hai:
- Kya amendment properly procedure follow karke pass hua?
- Kya uska effect basic structure ko damage kar raha hai?
Agar second question ka answer “ha” ho, to amendment null and void declare ho sakta hai, chahe Parliament ne kitna hi majority se pass kiya ho. Is doctrine ne ek strong constitutional check create kiya hai – majority rule ke sath-sath higher constitutional morality bhi protect rahe.
Critics kehte hain courts zyada powerful ho gaye, supporters kehte hain warna Constitution kab ka ek-party project ban chuka hota. Reality me yeh tension hi living constitutionalism ka part hai.