Rights vs Duties: The Debate india Keeps Ignoring
Why indians want Constitutional rights without Constitutional behaviour.
India’s public discourse revolves around one question: “What are my rights?” Almost no one asks, “What are my duties?”
This selective reading of democracy is not accidental — it is the direct product of political incentives. Politicians amplify rights when they need votes, and weaponize duties when they need obedience.
Take climate responsibility. Citizens demand cleaner air but continue burning garbage, abusing vehicles, and draining groundwater. Governments promise green policies but dilute environmental norms for “ease of business.” Both sides perform selective morality.
The same contradiction exists in taxation. Everyone wants better roads, healthcare, and welfare schemes, yet India’s tax compliance remains embarrassingly low. Cash economies thrive because they benefit both corrupt officials and evading citizens — a silent, mutual agreement.
Voting exposes the biggest hypocrisy. people skip elections citing heat, rain, or “no good candidate,” yet spend years complaining about the government. Duties mean participation — not whatsapp outrage after results.
Public behaviour and civic ethics? indians still litter public spaces and expect someone else to clean it. We break traffic rules and blame “the system.” Democracy collapses when citizens behave like customers, not stakeholders.
The Constitution gives rights as a shield.
Duties are the mirror.
And india avoids mirrors because they reveal uncomfortable truths: citizens and leaders are equally complicit in weakening the democracy they claim to defend.
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