Fundamental Rights of Indian Citizens

What are Fundamental Rights?

The origin of the concept of fundamental rights can be traced to the 13th century in England. In 1215, the people of England revolted against the king and demanded certain rights, the King granted certain assurances in the form of ‘ Magna Carta’. It is credited with paving the way for modern democratic rights. Americans were the first to give Constitutional status to the bill of rights. However, in the original American constitution, there was no mention of the Bill of rights. Subsequently, the first amendment was enacted in 1791 incorporating certain fundamental rights. The framers of the Indian Constitution followed the American model and Incorporated the rights in the Constitution itself. A significant feature of fundamental rights in India is that the remedy for enforcement of fundamental rights is itself declared a fundamental rights. It must be noted that fundamental rights though expressly Incorporated in the constitution have no fixed content and courts have by way of interpretation expanded the scope of fundamental rights....

Fundamental Rights of Indian Citizens

Right Description Right to Equality (Articles 14-18) Guarantees equal rights and opportunities for all citizens, prohibiting discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. Includes equality before the law, and ensures equal access to public spaces and resources. Right to Freedom (Articles 19-22) Ensures fundamental freedoms like freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, and residence. Imposes limitations on these freedoms in the interest of national security, public order, and morality. Right against Exploitation (Articles 23-24) Prohibits all forms of forced labor, including child labor and human trafficking. Protects individuals from exploitation and guarantees decent working conditions. Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25-28) Guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to practice, profess, and propagate any religion. Ensures religious tolerance and non-discrimination based on religion. Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29-30) Protects the right to conserve one’s language and culture, and the right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. Promotes diversity and cultural preservation. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Articles 32-35) Empowers citizens to enforce their fundamental rights through judicial remedies. Enables citizens to approach the Supreme Court and High Courts for violation of their fundamental rights....

History of Fundamental Rights

The first demand for fundamental rights came in the form of the Swaraj Bill 1895, subsequently, a rise of demand for fundamental rights was made till the Constitution makers made it. The government of India Act, 1935, contained no affirmation of Fundamental rights. Both the Simon Commission and the joint parliamentary committee were opposed to the inclusion of a declaration to that effect in a constitutional document. They held that the declaration of rights would create a grave risk of a large number of laws being declared void and would impose restrictions on the powers of the legislature. Subsequently, framers of the Indian constitution took inspiration from the magna carta of England, the declaration of Rights of Man and citizens (France), and the U.S. bill of Rights. This inclusion of fundamental rights was in accordance with the democratic thought....

Constitution Secures Fundamental Rights

Being that one group dominates and the fundamental rights say that they should not and then it is not to be seen in the narrow perspective of state versus citizens; rather it has to be seen in the wider perspective of dominated versus dominating....

Fundamental Rights: Available to citizens vs non-citizen

Fundamental rights mentioned in the Constitution are concurrent with the UN declaration of Human rights while making fundamental rights constitution-makers were taken the precaution to follow the rules and provisions of Human Rights declared by the United Nations....