Fraternity in India

Fraternity, one of the core values enshrined in the Indian Constitution, plays an important role in promoting unity and equality in the society.

However, the practical application of fraternity in India raises many questions and challenges.

Ancient Greece

Aristotle’s Idea

Middle Ages

French Revolution

There is a long history of fraternity, the idea of brotherhood and unity.
In Plato’s Lysis, the philosopher invokes the word philia (love) for the strong desire to pursue wisdom.
Fraternity has been seen as a strong desire to share knowledge and wisdom with others, thereby making friendship more meaningful through intellectual exchanges.

The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, added the idea of fraternity by highlighting the importance of the “polis”, the city-state where people were as political beings and friendship between citizens in the city-state (polis) is important.

During the Middle Ages, brotherhood took on a different dimension, primarily in the Christian context in Europe.
Here brotherhood was often linked to religious and communal bonds.
It was promoted through shared religious beliefs and practices, emphasizing a sense of brotherhood among believers.

The French Revolution in 1789, which gave rise to the famous motto “Liberte, Egalité, Fraternité” (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity).
- It marked the beginning of liberty and equality as well as fraternity in the field of politics.
- Fraternity, in this context, symbolized the idea of unity and solidarity among citizens as they fought for their rights and freedom.

The Indian fraternity has its own journey in India’s sociology, and the current nature of the Indian fraternity differs from the political fraternity enshrined in its constitution.
According to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar “Fraternity means a sense of common brotherhood of all Indians — of Indians being one people. It is the principle which gives unity and solidarity to social life,”.

No one should treat a fellow citizen as inferior.
While the morals of the Preamble like– Justice, Equality, and Liberty have been explicitly and implicitly ensured through Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and other constitutional provisions, this is not the case with Fraternity.

Constitutional Provisions	Description
Preamble	Along with liberty, equality and justice, the principle of fraternity was also added to the principles of the Preamble.
Fundamental Duties	Article 51A was added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 and further amended by the 86th Amendment (2002). Article 51A(e), The duty of every citizen to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood among all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic, and regional diversities
Directive Principles of State Policy	Article 38: The state shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting a social order that fosters fraternity among the citizens.

Fraternity in the Constitution reflects a moral obligation to treat fellow human beings fairly and respectfully, giving priority to social solidarity over individual identity.
Acharya Kripalani pointed out that the preamble contains not just principles of legality and politics, but also a moral, mystical essence as well.

It is one of the four pillars of constitutional morality as stated in the Preamble, alongside justice, liberty, and equality.

Fraternity in the Constitution affirms the dignity of the individual by recognizing moral equality and mutual respect among individuals despite differences in religious beliefs, caste, language, culture, ethnicity, class, and gender.

Challenges	Description
Social and Cultural Differences	Religious or caste-based differences often result in distrust, discrimination and even violence, leading to the loss of the feeling of brotherhood.
Economic Disparities	Economic disparities can lead to the disintegration of social unity, which is a major aspect of brotherhood.
Political Differences	Political ideologies can create deep divisions in society, hindering cooperation and dialogue. Such differences often lead to polarization, fostering an environment of hostility and intolerance that hinders constructive engagement.
Lack of Trust	A lack of mutual trust and understanding among groups can undermine fraternity. When trust is lacking, working together toward common goals becomes challenging.
Failure of Constitutional Morality	Its failure could lead to loss of trust in institutions and the rule of law, create instability and weaken brotherhood.
Educational Disparities	Disparities in access to quality education can perpetuate social inequalities and hinder brotherhood. Educational disparities often result in unequal opportunities, reinforcing divisions between communities.
Language and Cultural Barriers	India’s multitude of languages and dialects can sometimes create communication barriers. Language and cultural differences can hinder effective dialogue and cooperation, affecting the spirit of fraternity.

To overcome differences and foster a sense of brotherhood, it is important to take initiatives which promote society and culture unity in diverse communities.
Dialogues, understanding and cooperation among people of different backgrounds should be encouraged by these programmes.
Civic education should inculcate the values of fraternity, equality and social justice from an early age.
Ethical leadership is essential at all levels of society to set an example of responsible citizenship and ethical conduct.
Implement policies and programs that address economic inequalities, ensuring equal access to opportunities and resources for all citizens.

Ambedkar had dreamed of an India in which divisions of caste and religion would gradually end in the spirit of brotherhood. Therefore, investment in concepts like fraternity will save society from fragmentation.

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