An erosion of basic norms

As India drifts away from secularism, undermining the principles of equality enshrined in the Constitution seems to be the goal in and of itself

A basic norm is used to identify the rule that forms the underlying basis for a legal system. Constitutions and other documents of law derive their legitimacy from this norm, which is a point of origin. What is that basic norm in India’s constitution?

The preamble shoots for a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic nation. It also speaks of social, political and economic justice; of liberty of speech and religion; of equality and, more interestingly, fraternity, a word that means friendship and mutual support.

If we look around us, what aspects can we identify as being our basic norm? We