When we speak about the Constitution of India or fundamental rights, many people imagine heavy books, complex judgments and arguments inside the courtroom. But for me, as a practicing advocate and a student of life, the Constitution lives not in law libraries, but in the daily struggles and hopes of ordinary people.

It is present when a child receives mid–day meals in a government school, when an undertrial prisoner is produced before a magistrate on time, when an old woman receives her pension without bribery and when a citizen can peacefully criticise authority without fear. The Constitution is not distant. It is intimate.

The Heart of the Constitution is Dignity

At the core of our constitutional philosophy lies one word: dignity. The famous Article 21 does not merely guarantee the right to life. It protects the right to live with dignity – a life where a person is not humiliated because of poverty, caste, gender, disability or any other circumstance.

I have seen this dignity being restored when courts ordered rehabilitation of slum dwellers instead of throwing them on the road, when nomadic tribes were allotted land after generations of exclusion, and when victims of bonded labour were recognised as citizens with rights, not as statistics.

Rights Become Real When the Poor Can Use Them

A right written on paper is only half a right. It becomes complete when the poorest and the most voiceless citizen can understand, claim and enjoy it. This is why legal awareness, social movements and public interest litigations (PILs) are so important.

Through several PILs, we challenged practices like child marriage, environmental pollution, illegal fee collection and custodial violence. These were not mere cases – they were constitutional questions: Can we allow the dignity of children, nature and citizens to be sacrificed for short–term gain?

Every Citizen is a Guardian of the Constitution

Many people believe that only judges or lawyers can protect the Constitution. This is not true. The Constitution breathes through every citizen who:

• refuses to give or take bribes and chooses integrity instead,
• stands up against discrimination in school, office or society,
• helps a child continue her education instead of entering into early marriage,
• questions injustice with courage and compassion.

In my journey, whether addressing students in universities, interacting with labourers or speaking in international forums, I have always emphasised that the Constitution is not just a legal document – it is a moral compass. It guides us towards a more just, humane and inclusive India.

The Way Forward: From Rights to Responsibility

Enjoying constitutional rights also brings constitutional responsibility. Freedom of speech demands responsible speech. Right to protest requires peaceful conduct. Political participation requires informed voting. Every right carries a duty to use it for the common good, not for hatred or division.

As we move through uncertain times in the world, let us remember that the strength of our democracy depends not only on the text of the Constitution, but on the conscience of its people. If every citizen becomes a guardian of dignity, justice and fraternity, then our constitutional dream will not remain confined to court judgments – it will shine in every home, every classroom and every village of India.

My humble appeal, especially to the youth, is this:
Read the Constitution once in your life, but live its values every day of your life.

Dr. H.C. Ganeshia

Senior Advocate & Humanitarian

With over four decades in law, education and social service, Dr. Ganeshia has been closely associated with landmark cases, universities and humanitarian initiatives across India and abroad.