Which of the following does not come under the list of Fundamental Duties of citizens of India as laid down in Article 51A of the Constitution?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of the Fundamental Duties of citizens as listed in Article 51A of the Constitution of India. These duties were added to emphasise that citizens also have obligations towards the nation, society, and environment, complementing the Fundamental Rights. To answer correctly, you must distinguish between duties imposed on citizens and rights guaranteed to them under Part III of the Constitution.

Given Data / Assumptions:

Option a refers to safeguarding public property.
Option b refers to protecting and improving the natural environment.
Option c refers to promoting harmony among people.
Option d refers to protecting freedom of speech and expression.
We must identify which of these is not a Fundamental Duty under Article 51A.

Concept / Approach:
Article 51A lists several duties, including abiding by the Constitution, cherishing noble ideals of the freedom struggle, defending the country, promoting harmony and brotherhood, preserving the rich heritage of composite culture, protecting the natural environment, developing scientific temper, safeguarding public property, and striving towards excellence. Freedom of speech and expression, on the other hand, is a Fundamental Right guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a), not a duty. Citizens are expected to exercise this right responsibly, but the Constitution does not phrase it as a duty to protect that freedom; instead, it protects the freedom against unreasonable State restrictions.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Check Option a. Article 51A(i) clearly states that it is the duty of every citizen to safeguard public property and to abjure violence. Therefore safeguarding public property is a Fundamental Duty.Step 2: Check Option b. Article 51A(g) specifies the duty to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures. Thus this is also a Fundamental Duty.Step 3: Check Option c. Article 51A(e) mentions the duty to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood among all the people of India, transcending religious, linguistic, and regional or sectional diversities. So this is again a Fundamental Duty.Step 4: Check Option d. To protect freedom of speech and expression is not listed as a Fundamental Duty in Article 51A. Freedom of speech and expression is instead a Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(a). Therefore Option d is the statement that does not come under the list of Fundamental Duties.

Verification / Alternative check:
Reviewing the text of Article 51A confirms the presence of duties related to safeguarding public property, promoting harmony, and protecting the environment. You will not find any separate duty stated as protecting freedom of speech and expression. Instead, when you examine Part III, you see that freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed as a right, subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2). Standard polity books consistently categorise it as a Fundamental Right rather than a duty. This confirms that Option d is not a Fundamental Duty.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a is wrong as a choice because safeguarding public property is explicitly mentioned as a Fundamental Duty in Article 51A(i), so it is part of the list.

Option b is incorrect as the answer because protecting and improving the natural environment is clearly included in Article 51A(g) and is an important duty of citizens.
Option c is also incorrect as the answer since promoting harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood is written into Article 51A(e), making it a recognised Fundamental Duty.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates confuse rights and duties and may assume that because freedom of speech and expression is very important, citizens must have a duty to protect it. While citizens should value this freedom, the Constitution classifies it as a right, not as a duty. Another pitfall is to forget specific wording of Article 51A and rely on vague memory, which can blur the distinction between environmental protection as a duty and free speech as a right. Remembering that Fundamental Duties are mainly in Article 51A and that key civic obligations such as protecting the environment, safeguarding public property, and promoting harmony are explicitly mentioned will help you answer similar questions accurately.

Final Answer:
The statement that does not come under the list of Fundamental Duties is: To protect freedom of speech and expression.