Explanation: The Ninth Schedule is a significant part of the Indian Constitution, introduced to protect certain laws from judicial review under Article 13. Article 13 of the Constitution of India guarantees the protection of Fundamental Rights, but it also allows for certain laws to be exempt from this protection. The Ninth Schedule was added to the Constitution in 1951, specifically to facilitate land reforms and other social welfare measures without interference from the judiciary.
The Indian Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950. However, the Ninth Schedule was introduced as a constitutional amendment in 1951. This amendment was necessary because the judiciary had been striking down several laws aimed at land reforms and other social welfare measures on the grounds that they violated Fundamental Rights. The Ninth Schedule was designed to protect these laws from such judicial scrutiny.
The introduction of the Ninth Schedule was a response to the need for social and economic reforms in the early years of independent India. Land reforms were particularly important, as they aimed to redistribute land from large landowners to the landless and small farmers. Other social welfare measures included tenancy reforms, abolition of zamindari systems, and other measures to improve the economic conditions of the rural poor.
The Ninth Schedule has been a subject of considerable debate and controversy over the years. Critics argue that it undermines the protection of Fundamental Rights by allowing the legislature to pass laws that can be exempt from judicial review. However, supporters argue that it is necessary to facilitate social and economic reforms that are essential for the development of the country.
In summary, the Ninth Schedule was added to the Indian Constitution in 1951 to protect certain laws from judicial review under Article 13, thereby facilitating land reforms and other social welfare measures. This constitutional amendment was a significant step in the early years of independent India, aimed at addressing the pressing social and economic issues of the time.