SHORT ANSWER:
The basic structure doctrine limits the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution in a way that alters its fundamental framework, including individual rights and liberties.
DETAILS:
- Established by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973).
- Ensures that certain fundamental rights and the core principles of the Constitution cannot be changed by amendments.
- Protects individual rights such as freedom of speech, equality before law, and protection against discrimination.
PUNISHMENT / IMPLICATIONS (if applicable):
- Amendments violating the basic structure can be struck down by the Supreme Court.
SOURCE:
- Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, 1973 (Supreme Court Judgment)
Related Questions: