Challenges and Criticism of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment Act, 1971
- Some former princely rulers argued that the Indian government was breaking the promise made to these rulers and violating their rights.
- The abolition of privy purses was also seen as a loss of the cultural heritage and traditions of the former princely states, which had distinct identities and ways of life. some Critics argued that the Indian government was trying to homogenize the country and suppress the diversity of its regions.
- Some former rulers of princely states challenged the abolition of the privy purse system on the grounds of violation of their fundamental rights.
Twenty-Sixth Amendment Act, 1971
The 26th constitutional amendment was passed in 1971. It made many changes to the constitution which also included the abolition of the privy purse system for former Indian princes. This amendment also provides for the appointment of a commission to review the working of the Constitution every five years and submit a report to the President of India.
The concept of rulership and privy purse related to any clause and statement in the Constitution of India seemed to be incompatible with the very idea of an egalitarian society. So to end this clause, the 26th Constitutional Amendment Act was thus introduced so as to terminate this provision of privy purses and rulership and to move forward toward establishing an egalitarian society.