Directive Principles & Fundamental Rights
The Directive Principles aim at establishing a welfare state. The aim of Fundamental rights is also the same but there are some basic differences between the two.
First, Directive Principles are not justiceable. No constitutional provision or law binds the government to implement these. Fundamental rights are justiceable and enforceable. Fundamental rights cannot be denied to any citizen. These are protected by the Supreme Court and High Courts.
Second, these principles are only instructions or directions for the state to frame policies to implement them. Such policies should be a step towards realizing theĀ goals of a welfare state. Fundamental Rights have been ensured by the Constitution and the state is bound to protect the rights of all its citizens.
Third, even in respect of the placement in the Constitution, the Directive Principles come after the Fundamental Rights. It means that importance of Fundamental rights is more than that of Directive Principles.
Implementation of Directive Principle enhances the credibility and popularity of any government, which is the basis for regaining power in a democracy. Moreover, it is also apparent that the aim of both the Fundamental rights and Directive Principles is the same. They are not contradictory but complementary to each other. Fundamental Rights guarantee political democracy and Directive Principles are there to establish social and economic democracy.