Evaluating India’s Egalitarian Vision

Context:
As India celebrates its 75th Constitution Day, it is imperative to assess the nation’s progress in realizing the Constitution’s vision of an egalitarian society. However, growing inequalities under the influence of neoliberal economic policies have cast a shadow on this vision.

Egalitarian Liberalism

Inspired by the philosophy of John Rawls, egalitarian liberalism emphasizes:

• Equal basic liberties for all.
• Equal opportunities to reduce disparities.
• Redistributive policies to ensure economic and social justice.

Constitutional Vision of Equality

1. Article 38(2):
   • Directs the State to strive to minimize income, status, and opportunity inequalities.
2. Article 39(c):
   • Prohibits the concentration of wealth in a manner detrimental to the common good.
3. Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs):
   • Establish a framework to ensure equality, dignity, and social justice for all citizens.

Judicial Endorsements for Equality

• D.S. Nakara Case (1982):
  Advocated for social security as a fundamental right and emphasized the need for decent living standards for all citizens.
• Samatha Case (1997):
  Interpreted socialism as a constitutional goal aimed at reducing inequalities and ensuring equal opportunities.

Present Status of Inequality in India

1. Decline in State Welfarism:
   • Neoliberal reforms have shifted the focus from state welfare to private capital, undermining constitutional efforts to achieve equality.
2. Income Disparity:
   • The top 1% of income earners now hold 22.6% of the national income, compared to 6% in the 1980s.
   • The State of Inequality in India Report (2022) reveals that the top 10% earn more than ₹25,000 per month, while 90% earn less, highlighting extreme wealth concentration.
3. Wealth Inequality:
   • According to Oxfam (2023), a top executive in India earns in one year what a minimum wage worker would earn in 941 years.
4. Caste-Based Wealth Disparities:
   • Upper castes hold 90% of billionaire wealth, while Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) have minimal representation.
   • OBC wealth share declined from 20% in 2014 to 10% in 2022, while the upper caste share increased from 80% to 90%.
5. Social Impact:
   • Economic advantages overlap with social capital, benefiting upper castes disproportionately and further entrenching inequality.

Challenges to the Constitutional Ideology

• Rising Income Disparities: Growing wealth concentration contradicts the constitutional goal of equitable distribution.
• Weak Enforcement of Redistributive Policies: Articles like 39(c) have not been effectively implemented to prevent wealth concentration.
• Persistent Caste-Based Gaps: Marginalized communities continue to face limited access to economic opportunities and resources.
• Underrepresentation of Marginalized Groups: Economic growth has primarily benefited dominant social groups, leaving marginalized sections behind.

Way Forward

1. Reaffirm Constitutional Mandates:
   • Strengthen the implementation of Articles 38(2) and 39(c) to reduce income and wealth inequalities.
2. Reinforce DPSPs:
   • Develop effective policies to translate Directive Principles of State Policy into actionable programs.
3. Introduce Progressive Taxation:
   • Implement wealth taxes and progressive income tax structures to address wealth concentration.
4. Promote Affirmative Action:
   • Expand affirmative action policies to ensure the economic and social inclusion of marginalized communities.
5. Judicial Alignment:
   • Advocate for court interpretations that align with the Constitution’s egalitarian vision, particularly in cases related to wealth and resource distribution.
6. Enhance Access to Education and Employment:
   • Increase investments in education, vocational training, and job creation for marginalized groups.
7. Public Awareness and Debate:
   • Encourage public discourse on inequality to foster democratic accountability and maintain pressure on policymakers to address disparities.

By reaffirming its commitment to the egalitarian ideals enshrined in the Constitution, India can strive toward a society that offers equal opportunities and social justice to all its citizens, fulfilling the vision of its founding fathers.