GK Question

polity hard true_false

In Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018), the Supreme Court held that Constitutional Morality must prevail over social morality when the two conflict in matters affecting fundamental rights.

  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Constitutional vs social morality distinction: (a) Navtej Singh Johar (2018): SC held Constitutional Morality (constitutional values) prevails over social morality (majoritarian views) when they conflict, (b) Application: Decriminalizing homosexuality despite social opposition because Articles 14, 15, 19, 21 protect individual dignity and autonomy, (c) Rationale: Constitution protects minorities and individuals against majoritarian impulses; democratic legitimacy requires respecting constitutional limits, not just popular will, (d) Other applications: Shayara Bano (triple talaq), Puttaswamy (privacy) affirm constitutional values over traditional practices violating fundamental rights. Illustrates transformative constitutionalism: using Constitution as tool for social justice, not just reflecting existing social norms.

Topic Constitutional Morality vs Social Morality
Exam Relevance Constitutional vs social morality critical for UPSC Mains and Judiciary exams
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