As India gets ready to celebrate its 76th Republic Day, it would be appropriate to look at the relationship between Hindutva and the Constitution of India. There has been a concerted attempt to position the two as contradictory. But the fact of the matter is that Hindutva, Hindu Dharma, and the Spirit of the Indian Constitution are in perfect sync. No binaries exist in this context.

In Hindu Dharma, law is viewed as a moral order and it governs both the ruler and those who are ruled. Article 14 that made equality before law a fundamental right also establishes constitutional supremacy. This is an expression of the key principle of Hindu thought that even the king is bound by Dharma. By placing law above individuals, the Constitution reiterates the age-old Hindu Dharmic notion that authority is legitimate only when it is righteous.

Indian Classical texts on governance have put Rājadharma—the ruler’s duty to ensure justice, welfare, and protection—at the core of our governance system. The same are echoed by Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) in Indian Constitution with Article 38 (Social order for welfare of the people), Article 39 (Justice, livelihood, equitable distribution) and Article 41–43 (Social security, work, dignity of labour)

The Indian notion of ‘secularism’ is rooted in not merely ‘tolerating’ but accepting all religions. As Swami Vivekananda explained this in the World Parliament of Religions on 11 September, 1893 in his historical address: “I am proud to belong to a........

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