Balaji Raghavan case
Also called: Balaji Raghavan v. Union of India (1996) · Topic: Fundamental Rights and Constitutional Remedies · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Balaji Raghavan v. Union of India (1996) is a Supreme Court judgment on Article 18, which abolishes titles. The Court held that national awards such as the Bharat Ratna and Padma awards are not "titles" banned by Article 18. They honour service and merit. They do not create a higher class of citizens. The award stays valid only if it is not used as part of a person's name.
Example
Someone given the Padma Bhushan may keep and mention the award. But they should not write "Padma Bhushan" before or after their name on a letterhead or nameplate, the way an old title like "Rai Bahadur" was used.
Don't confuse with
- Abolition of titles (Art. 18): this is the constitutional rule itself. Balaji Raghavan is the case that explained how national awards fit within that rule.
Related concepts
- Prohibition of discrimination
- Special provisions for women and children
- Special provisions for backward classes
- Equality of opportunity in public employment
- Residence requirement in public employment
- C.B. Muthamma case
- Untouchability
- Abolition of titles