The Golaknath case initially held that the Parliament did not have the authority to amend any part of the Constitution, including fundamental rights. However, in a subsequent landmark case, Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), the Supreme Court modified the Golaknath ruling. In Kesavananda Bharati, the court upheld the doctrine of basic structure but clarified that while Parliament had wide powers to amend the Constitution, it could not alter its basic structure.
The exact components of the basic structure have not been explicitly defined by the court, and it remains somewhat flexible and open to interpretation. However, over the years, the judiciary has identified certain elements that are considered part of the basic structure, including:
1. Supremacy of the Constitution: The principle that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that all laws and actions must be in line with its provisions.
2. Sovereign, Democratic, and Republican Nature of India: The concept of India as a sovereign, democratic, and republican state is an integral part of the basic structure.
3. Secular Character: The secular nature of the Indian state is considered a fundamental aspect of the basic structure.
4. Federal Character: The federal structure of the Indian polity, with a division of powers between the central and state governments, is an essential element.
5. Separation of Powers: The distribution of powers among the executive, legislature, and judiciary, ensuring checks and balances, is a crucial aspect.
6. Rule of Law: The principle that all individuals, including government authorities, are subject to the law and that no one is above the law.
7. Judicial Review: The power of the judiciary to review and invalidate laws and actions inconsistent with the Constitution.
The doctrine of basic structure acts as a safeguard against arbitrary changes to the Constitution. It ensures that while Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution, it cannot undermine its fundamental tenets or alter its essential features that form the bedrock of the Indian democratic system.