Supreme Court ruling on Constitutional Amendments

In the Kesavananda Bharti case, the Supreme Court of India ruled that Constitutional Amendments were also laws under Article 13 of the Constitution of India, which could be declared void for being inconsistent with Fundamental Rights. This landmark case was heard by a bench of 13 judges and is considered as one of the most important cases in the history of Indian constitutional law.

Background of the case

The case was filed by Kesavananda Bharti, a senior seer of the Edneer Mutt in Kerala, who challenged the Kerala Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, 1969. The act sought to impose restrictions on the management of temple properties. Bharti argued that the act violated his fundamental right to manage the temple properties guaranteed under Article 26 of the Constitution.

However, the case took a larger turn when the government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sought to introduce the 24th Amendment to the Constitution of India. The amendment sought to curtail the power of the Supreme Court to review constitutional amendments. This move was seen by many as an attempt to bolster the power of the government and to undermine the independence of the judiciary.

Supreme Court ruling

In its ruling in the Kesavananda Bharti case, the Supreme Court held that the basic structure of the Constitution cannot be amended by the Parliament. The court also held that Constitutional Amendments were also laws under Article 13 of the Constitution of India, which could be declared void for being inconsistent with Fundamental Rights.

The court's ruling was a significant victory for those who sought to preserve the independence of the judiciary and to protect the fundamental rights of citizens. It also marked a turning point in the history of Indian constitutional law, as it established the principle that the Constitution of India is a living document that can evolve and change over time.

Conclusion

The Kesavananda Bharti case remains one of the most important cases in Indian constitutional law. It established the principle that the Constitution of India is a living document that can evolve and change over time. It also upheld the fundamental rights of citizens and the independence of the judiciary, and set important limitations on the power of the Parliament to amend the Constitution.