Social Justice & Welfare·Amendments

Communal Violence — Amendments

Updated 5 Mar 2026
AmendmentYearDescriptionImpact
42nd Amendment1976Added 'secular' to the Preamble, strengthening constitutional commitment to religious neutrality and equal treatment of all religions by the state.Reinforced constitutional foundation against communal discrimination and provided stronger legal basis for challenging communal violence and religious bias in state actions.
44th Amendment1978Restored some fundamental rights provisions that were curtailed during Emergency, including strengthening Article 21 protections.Enhanced protection of life and liberty rights, providing stronger constitutional basis for challenging state inaction during communal violence and ensuring accountability.