Courts jab controversial issues – inter-caste marriage, LGBTQ+ rights, religious practices, dress codes, etc. – decide karte hain, to do alag concepts saamne aate hain: social morality (society kya sahi maanti hai) aur constitutional morality (Constitution kya protect karta hai).
Social morality often majority mindset reflect karti hai – tradition, customs, local norms. Yeh time ke saath badalti bhi rehti hai. Constitutional morality, on the other hand, dignity, liberty, equality, and individual choice ko central rakhti hai, chahe majority ko uncomfortable hi kyun na lage.
Judges increasingly keh rahe hain ki jab conflict ho, to State ka role majority sentiment ka agent banna nahi, balki constitutional values ka guardian banna hai. Isi thinking se many progressive judgments aaye – privacy, sexual orientation, interfaith couples protection, etc.
Iska matlab yeh nahi ki public sentiment irrelevant ho gaya, lekin law ka final compass text aur spirit of Constitution rehna chahiye, sirf street ki awaaz nahi.
