Page 3 - Lesson Note 12

be kept in mind that the constitution is a framework for the

democratic governance of the society.

 In this sense, it is an instrument that societies create for

themselves. This dual role of the constitution always leads to

difficult questions about the status of the constitution: is it so

sacred that nobody ever can change it?
 Alternatively, is it so ordinary an instrument that it can be

modified just like any other ordinary law? The makers of the

Indian Constitution were aware of this problem and sought to

strike a balance.

 They placed the Constitution above ordinary law and expected

that the future generations will respect this document. At the
same time, they recognised that in the future, this document may

require modifications.

 Even at the time of writing the Constitution, they were aware that

on many matters there were differences of opinion. Whenever

society would veer toward any particular opinion, a change in the

constitutional provisions would be required.
 Thus, the Indian Constitution is a combination of both the

approaches mentioned above: that the constitution is a sacred

document and that it is an instrument that may require changes

from time to time. In other words, our Constitution is not a static

document, it is not the final word about everything; it is not
unalterable.

HOW TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION?