The Paradox of Equality: A Constitutional Dream Vs Indian Reality

  •   Fri, Nov 07 2025
  •   By S N Bhat, Saipangallu

November 7, 2025

“All are equal before the law”—this profound proclamation lies at the heart of the Indian Constitution. Yet, the question of the extent to which this promise is realized in the daily lives of citizens remains unsettlingly ambiguous. Equal rights, respect, and opportunity are often just words that glitter brightly in the statute books, struggling to take root in the harsh soil of lived experience. While the Constitution enshrines equality as a Fundamental Right, inequality, in various potent forms, thrives across all sectors of society.

A Conflict in History: Ancient Equity vs. Modern Disparity

A historical review reveals a curious paradox. Although the Varna system was present in ancient India, administrative inequality wasn't as extreme. Many rulers governed based on the noble principles of religious justice, public welfare (Prajahita), and the happiness of all (Sarvajana Sukhaya). Examples like the just rule of Sri Rama (Ram Rajya), Emperor Ashoka’s administration based on Dhamma, and the Arthashastra's emphasis on public well-being demonstrate that the spirit of equality was prioritized over rigid social stratification.

Ancient kings generally performed their Rajadharma (King's Duty) based on ethics and justice, rather than outright discrimination. This contrasts sharply with the present, where despite the legal abolition of systems like Varna, modern political and social structures often exacerbate divides.

The Deterioration of Equality Today

The foundations of equality have eroded over time, giving rise to pervasive forms of social, economic, and political disparities:

Caste and Social Inequality: The centuries-old caste system continues to divide society, defining destiny by birth. Even today, basic rights like access to water, temple entry, education, and marriage remain areas plagued by discrimination, particularly in rural India.

Gender Inequality: Despite legal reforms granting equal rights, society is deeply entrenched in patriarchy. Disparities in wages, safety, respect, and political representation are common, ensuring that while a few women achieve success, the majority remain vulnerable to exploitation.

Economic Disparity: India faces a vast economic anomaly. While a few individuals amass enormous wealth, millions struggle for a minimal livelihood. This excessive concentration of wealth has rendered the constitutional ideal of "equal opportunity" a fragile, unfulfilled promise.

Religious Intolerance: Discrimination and hatred in the name of religion are a growing concern. The ideal that "all religions are equal" often exists only in rhetoric. Political actions and violence based on faith stand as jarring contradictions to the nation's secular and egalitarian mandate.

The Crisis of Judicial Trust

Though the judiciary is meant to be the safeguard of equality, its effectiveness and impartiality are under scrutiny. Incidents that reflect public frustration—such as the recent shoe-throwing case in the Supreme Court—suggest a weakening trust. There is a prevalent belief that the wealthy can manipulate the legal system to evade justice, while the poor are burdened by it. This differential application of the law is the grim face of contemporary inequality.

The ultimate irony is stark: governance was arguably more inclusive when systems like the Varna were structurally present, yet inequality has magnified in the post-independence era that explicitly opposes such systems.

Moving Beyond Law: The Call for Mental Transformation

To actualize the dream of the Constitution, more than just laws are required—a profound change in the human psyche is essential. Laws can regulate behavior, but they cannot inherently change the darkness of the mind.

True equality will only dawn when the realization that "others are fundamentally just like me" takes root in every heart. Equal access to education, economic justice, and religious tolerance are not mere policy goals; they are the essential building blocks of a humane life. The principle of equality remains a concept shining in the constitutional text, yet to be fully integrated into life. Nonetheless, this dream must endure. It is the lamp of humanity, the path of justice, and the light of morality. Equality may still be an ideal, but the pursuit of this ideal is the enduring power that leads society toward a brighter future.

 

 

 
By S N Bhat, Saipangallu
S N Bhat, Saipangallu, is a retired headmaster of Kendriya Vidyalaya Kasargod.
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Comment on this article

  • Rita, Germany

    Fri, Nov 07 2025

    Respected Sir ,one sentence made me to think if everyone fundamentally think "others are too like me"Wish all Indians too think so?I dont think.Some higher class ? Higher class person may think he is inferior caste not like me.That has widespread in India.Dont accept the work class person is too a human .Hope this may enter many of people s head and let others too lead a educated one-


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