Constitution of Bharat: Article 18: Part 6

 

Article 18 of the Indian Constitution, which abolishes titles, does not directly lead to numerous central or state enactments in the same way that other articles might, given its prohibitive nature rather than mandating action. However, there are some indirect or related legislative and administrative measures that align with or support the principles enshrined in Article 18:

Central Enactments:

1. The Emoluments and Allowances of the President and Governors Act, 1974:
   • Relevance: While primarily dealing with the emoluments of the President and Governors, this act implicitly supports Article 18 by ensuring that no additional privileges or titles are conferred through these positions, maintaining the republican spirit.
2. Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971:
   • Relevance: This act, although focused on preventing insults to the national flag, anthem, or the Constitution, indirectly upholds the dignity and ethos of a republic where no person is above the law or Constitution due to titles or positions.

Administrative Measures and Guidelines:

• Guidelines for National Awards:
  • The government has issued guidelines for the conferment of awards like the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, ensuring they are not treated or used as titles. These guidelines specify:
    • No prefixes or suffixes to names.
    • No conferment of special privileges or rights.
    • Based on merit, not hereditary or linked to social status.
• Presidential Consent for Foreign Awards:
  • While not a legislative enactment per se, there's an administrative practice where Indian citizens or officials in public service require the consent of the President to accept any title or significant honor from foreign states, aligning with Article 18(2), (3), and (4).

State Enactments:

There aren't specific state enactments directly stemming from Article 18, but states might have:

• Local Honors and Awards: States often have their own awards for recognizing contributions in various fields. These are managed with an understanding similar to national awards, ensuring they do not violate the spirit of Article 18 by creating or implying a new social hierarchy.
• State Commission for Backward Classes: While not directly related, these commissions work to identify and uplift backward classes without conferring titles, which aligns with the broader constitutional goal of equality and non-discrimination, including the abolition of titles.

Other Considerations:

• Public Service Conduct Rules: Various central and state rules for government servants often include provisions to ensure that no public servant can accept honors or titles from foreign entities without permission, which is a practical implementation of the restrictions in Article 18.
• Judicial Interpretations: Cases like Balaji Raghavan v. Union of India have influenced how states and the center manage honors, ensuring they do not become a backdoor method for creating titles.

While Article 18 itself is more about what cannot be done (conferring or accepting titles), the legislative and administrative responses to it are about maintaining the republican character of India, ensuring equality, and preventing the reintroduction of a titled aristocracy or nobility through other means.