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INTRODUCTIONTOFUNDAMENTALRIGHTSANDFUNDAMENTALDUTIESOFINDIANCITIZENS

UNITSTRUCTURE
1. LearningObjectives
2. Introduction
3. MeaningofFundamentalRights
1. FeaturesofFundamentalRights
2. TypesofFundamentalRights
3. RestrictionsonFundamentalRights

4. FundamentalDuties
6. LetUssumUp
7. FurtherReadings
8. AnswersToCheckYourProgress
9. PossibleQuestions

LEARNINGOBJECTIVES

Aftergoingthroughthisunit,youwillbeableto:
describethemeaningofFundamentalRightsincorporatedintheIndianConstitution
discussthetypesandfeaturesofFundamentalRights
explaintherestrictionsofFundamentalRights
describetheFundamentalDutiesincorporatedintheIndianConstitution

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INTRODUCTION

ThisunitintroducesyouaboutFundamentalRightsofIndiancitizens.TherearesixFundamentalRightsofIndiancitizens.Theserightsarepeculiarinthesensethatwithoutthese,noonecan
live in a democratic manner. Therefore framers of the Indian Constitution provide some Fundamental Rights for Indian citizens. Democracy can not work if the people do not have rights.
Inclusion of Fundamental Rights prevents the government. from becoming despotic. Fundamental Rights are essential for moral and material development of the people also. People can
develop their best self and personality through these rights. Though these rights are some guaranteed by the Constitution, yet the state can take back these rights temporarily during
proclamationofemergencytomaintainpublicorder,securityandsoon.Atthesametimetheserightsarejustifiablealso.Thecourtscanprotectandsafeguardthem,ifsomeonesrightsare
violated.Afterall,FundamentalRightsareindispensableforgoodlifeandforthefulldevelopmentofhumanpersonality.Besides,thisunitintroducesyoutoFundamentalDutiesofIndiancitizens.
ThesedutiesareenshrinedinPartIVoftheConstitution.Thesearesomeresponsibilitiesorobligationsofthecitizenstoperformforpeaceandprosperityofourcountry.

MEANINGOFFUNDAMENTALRIGHTS

FundamentalRightsfulfilsomebasicandessentialconditionsofgoodlifeforhumanprogress.Thesearefundamentalinthesensethatintheabsenceoftheserightscitizenscannotdevelop
theirpersonalityandtheirownself.Theserightsarenotthesameasordinaryrightsofcitizen.FundamentalRightsareenshrinedintheConstitution.TheseareConstitutionallyprotectedand
guaranteedtothecitizenswhileordinaryrightsareprotectedbytheordinarylawofthecountry.FundamentalRightsareinviolableinordinarysituation.Onlyunderreasonablecircumstances,
theserightsaresuspendedtemporarily.RighttoLife,FreedomofSpeechandExpression,RighttoEquality,RighttoReligion,RighttoPersonalLiberty,RighttoEducationaresomeimportant
FundamentalRightsofIndiancitizen.EverystateincorporatestheseFundamentalRightsintheirownConstitutionandcitizenscanenjoythem.IfanybodysFundamentalRightsareviolatedby
force he or she can go to the court seeking legal assistance. Democratic countries like India, Japan, France, Switzerland and many other countries individuals without which democracy
becomesmeaningless.TheConstitutionofIndiahasembodiedanumberofFundamentalRightsinPartIII.Citizenscanenjoytheserightswithinsomedefinitelimitations.

FeaturesofFundamentalRights

NecessaryfeaturesofFundamentalRightsareasfollows:
FundamentalRightsareanindispensablepartofourConstitution.TwentyfourarticlesareenjoinedwiththeseFundamentalRights.ParliamentcanamendFundamentalRightsbyaspecial
procedure.
FundamentalRightsareonlyforIndiancitizens.Noalienispermittedtoenjoytheserightsexceptrighttolife,libertyandpersonalproperty.
FundamentalRightsarenotabsolute.Thereforewithinsomereasonablerestrictionscitizenscanenjoythem.FundamentalRightswithoutprescribedconditionsmaydisruptpublicorder.
FundamentalRightsaresuspendableduringthetimeofemergencyandrightsofthecitizenarecurtailedtemporarilyexceptrighttolifeandpersonalliberty(article2021)
Fundamental Rights are justifiable also. A citizen can go to the court for enforcement of his Fundamental Rights if some one violates them. Under Article 32 and Article 226 of the Indian
Constitution,acitizencanapproachtheSupremeCourtandHighCourtrespectivelyinthisregard.
FundamentalRightsareamendablealso.Parliamentcanamendtheserightsbyaspecialprocedure.
SomeFundamentalRightsarepositivewhilesomeothersarenegativeinnature.
FundamentalRightsaimatrestoringcollectiveinterestalongwithindividualinterest.
FundamentalRightsaresuperiortoordinarylawoftheland.Theyareconferredaspecialsanctity.
SomeFundamentalRightsarelimitedtocitizensonly,suchasfreedomofspeech,assembly,andculturalandeducationalrights,butotherrightslikeequalitybeforethelaw,religiousfreedom
etcareavailabletobothcitizensandaliens
SomeprovisionsofChapterIIIoftheIndianConstitutionareofthenatureofprohibitionsandplaceConstitutionallimitationsontheauthorityofthestate.Forinstance,noauthorityofthestate
candenytoanypersonequalitybeforethelawortheequalprotectionofthelaws.

TypesofFundamentalRights

TherearesixtypesofFundamentalRightsinourConstitution

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I.RighttoEquality(Article14Article18)
IIRighttoFreedom(Articles19Article22)
IIIRightagainstExploitation(Articles23Article24)
IVRighttoReligion(Articles25Article28)
VRighttoCultureandEducation(Articles29Article30)
VIRighttoConstitutionalRemedies(Article32)

LETUSKNOW
Right to Property, which was a fundamental right has been eliminated from the list of Fundamental Rights by the FortyFourth Constitution Amendment Act, 1978, and abolished it as the
countryintendstopromotethesocialisticobjectives.So,nowitisanordinarylegalright.

ThesixcategoriesofFundamentalRightsarediscussedbelow:
I.RIGHTTOEQUALITY((Article14Article18):ItimpliesequalitybeforethelawandequalprotectionofthelawswithintheterritoryofIndia.Nomanisabovethelawoftheland.Everyperson
issubjecttotheordinarylawandamendabletothejurisdictionoftheordinarytribunals.Anydiscriminationisprohibitedandequalityofopportunityinmattersofpublicemploymentunderthe
stateisensured.Thereisnodistinctionbetweenofficialsandprivatecitizenandnodiscriminationonthebasisofcaste,creed,religion,sexetc.Butrighttoequalitydoesnotmeanabsolute
equalityoruniversalapplication.SomeexceptionsareallowedbytheIndianConstitutionandtheselimitationsareasfollows:
thePresidentortheGovernorofastateshallnotbeanswerabletoanycourtforthepowerexercisedoractdonebyhim.
nocriminalproceedingshallbeinstitutedagainstthePresidentortheGovernorduringtermofoffice
exemptionfromtaxestocertainclassesofproperty
impositionoftaxesupondifferenttradesandprofessions
makingspecialprovisionsforwomenandchild
makingspecialprovisionsforadvancementofanysocially,economicallyandeducationallybackwardclasseslikeSCsandSTsincludingspecialemploymentopportunities,whichiscalled
protectivediscrimination.
II.RIGHTTOFREEDOM(Article19Article22):Thisrightisthemostsignificantandimportantforthecitizens.Thisrightconferssomepositiverightstopromotetheidealofliberty.Article19
isthemostimportantwhichguaranteedsixfreedomtoallcitizens.
Theseare19(1)Allcitizensshallhavetheright
(a)tofreedomofspeechandexpression
(b)toassemblepeacefullyandwithoutarms
(c)toformassociationsorunions
(d)tomovefreelythroughouttheterritoryofIndia
(e)toresideandsettleinanypartoftheterritoryofIndiaand
(g)topracticeanyprofession,ortocarryonanyoccupation,tradeorbusiness
Article20and21guaranteetherighttolife,dignityandstatus.UnderArticle20,nopersonaccusedofanyoffenceshallbecompelledtobeawitnessagainsthimself.Similarly,underArticle21,
nopersonshallbedeprivedofhislifeorpersonallibertyexceptaccordingtotheprocedureestablishedbylaw.Article22providessomesafeguardsagainstarbitraryarrestanddetention.
LiketheRighttoEquality,RighttoFreedomisnotabsolute.ThestatecanimposereasonablerestrictionsupontheserightsincorporatedinArticle19tomaintainabalancebetweenindividual
libertyandsocialcontrol.WhenaproclamationofemergencyismadeunderArticle352,provisionsofArticle19itselfremainsuspended(Art.358)
III.RIGHTAGAINSTEXPLOITATION(Article23Article24):Indian Constitution recognizes dignity of the individual against any form of exploitation either by the state or by the privileged
section of the society. Therefore, Right against exploitation prohibited traffic in human beings and forced labour and employment of child in factories, mines or in any other hazardous
employment.Nochildbelowtheageoffourteenyearsshallbeemployedtoworkinanyfactoryormindsorengagedinanyotherhazardousemployment(Artcle24)
TheprovisionsofArticle23andArticle24absoluteandthestateisfirmonrestorationofdignityandstatusoftheindividualagainstanyimmoralpurposes.
IV. RIGHT TO RELIGION (Article 25 Article 28): Indian Constitution has adopted secular ideology and declared India as a secular state, which observes and attitude of neutrality and
impartialitytowardsallreligion.ThereisnostatereligioninIndia.Thestatewillneitherestablishareligionofitsownnorconferanyspecialpatronageuponanyparticularreligion.Everyperson
isguaranteedthefreedomofconscienceandfreedomtoprofess,practiceandpropagatehisownreligionsubjecttopublicorder,moralityandhealth.Everyreligiousgrouphasbeengiventhe
freedomtomanagereligiousaffairs,ownandacquiremovableandimmovablepropertyandadministersuchpropertyinaccordancewithlaw.Righttoreligionisalsosubjecttocertainlimitations.
Thestatehastherightanddutytointerveneifanyreligiousactivitycreatespublicdisorder,immoralityandsoon.
V.RIGHTTOCULTUREANDEDUCATION(Article29Article30):
The Constitution of India guarantees cultural and educational rights for all section of people irrespective of their religious, racial and cultural diversities. These rights are nonpolitical in real
sense. To reserve religious and cultural interest of each community, the Constitution of India incorporated these cultural and educational rights under Article 29 and Article 30. Article 29
guaranteestoeveryminorityorsectionofthepeopletopreserveitslanguage,scriptandculturenotwithstandingtheprovisionsofArticle343underwhichtheofficiallanguageoftheunionshall
HindiinDevanagariscript.ThestateshallnotimposeuponanyminoritygroupanycultureotherthanthecommunitysowncultureArticle29(1).Clause(2)ofArticle29providesthatnocitizen
maybedeniedadmissiontoStateandStateaidededucationalinstitutionsonthegroundsonlyofreligion,race,casteorlanguage.Article30providesthatallcommunitiesshallhavetherightto
establishandadministereducationalInstitutionsofitschoiceandthestateshallnotdiscriminateagainsttheminmakinggrantsongroundsofreligion,raceorlanguage.Thereisimplicitinthe
rightconferredbyArticle30(1),therighttoimpartinstructionintheirowninstitutionstothechildrenoftheirowncommunityintheirownlanguage.
Thisrighthasalsosomelimitations.TheStatecanregulateitsaffairsintheinterestofefficiencyofinstruction,discipline,moralityandpublicorder.
VI.RIGHTTOCONSTITUTIONALREMEDIES(Article32):Arightwithoutremedyisameaninglessformality.IndianConstitutionenumeratesvariousrightstoitscitizenandinordertomake
these rights effective, it includes some means or remedies in the form of the Right to Constitutional Remedies under Article 32. Article 32 guarantees to every citizen the right to move the
Supreme Court or High Courts for enforcement of Fundamental Rights by Constitutional means. Both the Supreme Court under Article 32 and the High Courts under Article 226 can issue
necessarywritsforthepurpose.WhenacitizenfeelsthathisFundamentalRightshavebeenviolated,hecanmovethecourtforredressal.TheSupremeCourtunderArticle32,Section2)and
HighcourtunderArticle226mayissuetosafeguardtheFundamentalRightsinthenatureofhabeascorpus,mandamus,prohibition,quowarrantoandcertiorari.Thesearesomeinstruments
and means to make Fundamental Rights more effective. The courts have the power to enforce Fundamental Rights by issuing these writs against any authority of the State. The Indian
ConstitutionlaysdownthatanyactoftheexecutiveorofthelegislaturewhichviolatesFundamentalRightsshallbevoidandthecourtsareempoweredtodeclareitasvoid(Art.13).Thus,the
ConstitutionofIndiahasmadethejudiciaryastheprotectorandguarantorofFundamentalRights.Ontheotherhand,thisConstitutionalrightistheheartandsouloftheConstitutionasitcan
onlymakeFundamentalRightseffective.
HowevertherighttomovethecourtforprotectionofFundamentalRightsmaybesuspendedduringanemergencyexceptthoserightsprovidedbyArticle20andArticle21.
LETUSKNOW
ThoughtheRighttoPropertywasaFundamentalRight,bytheFortyFourthAmendmenttotheConstitutionin1978itwasdeletedfromthelistofFundamentalRight.Bythesaidamendment,
Art19(1)(f)hasbeenrepealedandArt31(1)hasbeentakenoutofpartIIIandmadeaseparateArticle,viz.300AChapterIVinpartXIIwhichmentionsNopersonshallbedeprivedof
hispropertysavebyauthorityoflaw.SoRighttopropertyisonlyalegalandordinaryrightandnowifanindividualsrighttopropertyisviolated,hecannotmovetotheSupremeCourtunder
Art32.Suchrightsareprotectedbytheordinarylawoftheland.Ifanindividualspropertyistakenawaybyapublicofficialwithoutlegalnoticeorinexcessofthepowerconferredbylawin
thisbehalf,hecanapproachtheconcernedHighCourtunderArt226orbyanordinarylegalprocess.

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RestrictionsonFundamentalRights

ThoughtheConstitutionofIndiaguaranteesalltheseFundamentalrightsforthecitizen,yettherearesomelimitationandexceptionsoftheserightsalso.AcitizencannotenjoyFundamental
Rightsabsolutelyoratwill.WithinsomeConstitutionallimitationcitizencanenjoytheirRights.TheConstitutionofIndiaimposessomereasonablerestrictionsuponenjoymentoftheseRightsso,
thatpublicorder,moralityandhealthremainintact.TheConstitutionalwaysaimsatrestorationofcollectiveinterestalongwithindividualinterest.Forexample,righttoreligionissubjectto
restrictionsimposedbythestateintheinterestofpublicorder,moralityandhealthso,thatthefreedomofreligionmaynotbeabusedtocommitteecrimesorantisocialactivities.Similarly
Rightsguaranteedbyarticle19doesnotmeanabsoluteliberty.Absoluteindividualrightscannotbeguaranteedbyanymodernstate.ThereforeourConstitutionalsoempoweredthestateto
imposereasonablerestrictionsasmaybenecessaryinthelargerinterestofthecommunity.ourConstitutionalwaysattemptstostrikeabalancebetweenindividuallibertyandsocialcontrol.
and to establish a welfare state where collective interest got prominence over individual interest .Freedom of speech and expression (Art.191A) is also subject to reasonable restrictions
imposed by the state relating to defamation, contempt of court, decency or morality, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states , incitement to an offence, public order,
maintenanceofthesovereigntyandintegrityofIndia.Freedomofassembly(Art.191B)isalsosubjecttoreasonablerestrictionsimposedbythestatethattheassemblymustbepeacefuland
withoutarmsintheinterestofpublicorder.Freedomofpresswhichisincludedinthewiderfreedomofexpressionisalsosubjecttoreasonablelimitationsandthestatecanimposerestriction
uponfreedomofpressinthelargerinterestofthestateorforthepreventionofcontemptofcourt,defamationorincitementtoanoffence

CHECKYOURPROGRESS

1.FundamentalRightsarementionedinwhichpartofIndianConstitution?
....................................
2.FundamentalRightsarejustifiable.(True/False)
.....................................
3.FundamentalRightsareamendable.(True/False)
.....................................
4.FundamentalRightsareabsolute.(True/False)
.....................................
5.InwhichArticleoftheIndianConstitution,theRighttolifeandpersonallibertyismentioned?
.....................................
6.DescribetheRighttoConstitutionalRemedies.(within50words)

FUNDAMENTALDUTIES

WhentheConstitutioncameintoforcein1950,noFundamentalDutieswereenshrinedintheConstitutionofIndia.Bythe42ndAmendmenttotheConstitutionofIndiain1976,tenFundamental
DutieshavebeenaddedtoourConstitution.Thesedutiesareimportantandnecessaryforthevitalinterestofourcountry.TheseFundamentalDutiesarecoveredbyArticle51Aincorporated
inanewchapter,PartIVAoftheConstitution.UnderthisArticle,itshallbethedutyofeverycitizenofIndia
(i)toabidebytheConstitutionandrespecttheNationalFlagandtheNationalAnthem
(ii)tocherishandfollowthenobleidealswhichinspiredournationalstruggleforfreedom
(iii)toprotectthesovereignty,unityandintegrityofIndia
(iv)todefendthecountry
(v)topromotethespiritofcommonbrotherhoodamongstallthepeopleofIndia
(vi)topreservetherichheritageofourcompositeculture
(vii)toprotectandimprovethenaturalenvironment
(viii)todevelopthescientifictemperandspiritofinquiry
(ix)tosafeguardpublicproperty
(x)tostrivetowardsexcellenceinallspheresofindividualandcollectiveactivity
FundamentalDutiesarelikesomenobleadviceofwhichsomearecivicdutiesandothersaremoralduties.Theyarenotlegallybindinguponthecitizensandeventhecourtscannotenforce
them.So,FundamentalDutiesarenotenforceablebythecourtsofourcountry.Noonecanbepunishedifhe/shedoesnotperformhis/herduties.Thoughthereisnolegalforcebehindthese
duties,yettheyareintegralparttotheConstitutionofIndia.Thesedutieshavemoralimpactandeducativevalueuponthecitizens.Thereforepeopleobeythesedutiesonmoralobligationfor
welfareofthepeople.AfterallinclusionofFundamentalDutiesintheConstitutionisconsiderednecessarytowardsprogress,peaceandprosperityofthecountry.
ThoughthereisnoprovisionintheConstitutionfordirectenforcementofanyofthesedutiesnorforanysanctiontopreventtheirviolation,yetsomeFundamentalDutiesareenforceablebythe
courtsofthecountry.DutieslikeabidebytheConstitution,respecttheNationalFlagandtheNationalAnthem,todefendthecountryandrenderNationalservicewhencalledupontodosoand
safeguard public property etc. fall in this category and the courts can enforce them if it find reasonable relation with laws of the country. But there are some inherent draw backs of these
FundamentalDuties.ActuallyFundamentalDutiesarenotbindinguponthecitizen.DutiesinscribedintheConstitutionarenotexhaustive,whilesomedutiesareambiguous.So,commonpeople

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couldnotunderstandthem.YetthesedutiesareimportantforNationalinterestofourcountry.Thesedutieshavesanctityofitsown.Besidesthesedutieshavemoralandeducativevalueupon
citizenofourcountry.Peoplefellsthatforproperenjoymentofrights,dutiesmustbeperformedinawellmanner.Becauserightsanddutiesarerelatedtoeachother.Everyrightimpliesa
correspondingdutytowardsindividualandsocialwelfare.Rightscannotbeseparatedfromdutiesandviceversa.Therefore,bothrightsanddutiesareimportantfortheprosperityofthe
countryinasimilarmanner.

CHECKYOURPROGRESS

1.FundamentalDutiesareinscribedin:
(a)PartIII(b)PartIVA(c)PartVoftheConstitution

2.Bywhichconstitutionalamendment,FundamentalDutiesareincorporatedintheIndianConstitution.
(a)42ndamendment(b)44thamendment(c)73rdamendment
..
3.HowmanyFundamentalDutiesareincorporatedintheIndianConstitution?
4.MentionanytwoFundamentalDuties?

LETUSSUMUP

InthisunityouhavereadaboutFundamentalRightsanddutiesofIndianCitizen.Boththeserightsanddutiesarecloselyconnectedtooneanother.Everyrightimpliesacorrespondingduty.
So,whencitizenenjoytheirrightstheyshouldperformtheircorrespondingdutytowardsother.Forexample,whenyouaregoingtowalkinapublicroadyoushouldnotdisturbthesimilarright
ofothers.Because,othersalsohavesamerighttowalkinapublicroadandtherefore,itisyourdutytorespectrightofothersothattheycanwalkfreelylikeyou.

FURTHERREADING

1.SelectConstitutionsAnupChandKapurandK.K.Misra
2.IndianGovernmentandPoliticsK.K.Ghai
3.ConstitutionalGovernmentinIndiaM.V.Pylee
4.IndianGovernmentandPoliticsPrakashChander

ANSWERSTOCHECKYOURPROGRESS

CHECKYOURPROGRESS1
Q.no.1.PartIII,Art.1235
Q.no.2.True
Q.no.3.True
Q.no.4.False
Q.no.5.Article21
Q. no. 6. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32): Article 32 guarantees to every citizen the right to move the Supreme court or High court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights by
Constitutionalmeans.BoththeSupremeCourtunderArticle32andtheHighCourtsunderArticle226canissuenecessarywritsforthepurposeinthenatureofhabeascorpus,mandamus,
prohibition,quowarrantoandcertiorari.ThesearesomeinstrumentsandmeanstomakeFundamentalRightsmoreeffective.ThisConstitutionalrightistheheartandsouloftheConstitution
as it can only make Fundamental Rights effective. However the right to move the court for protection of Fundamental Rights may be suspended during an emergency except those rights
providedbyArticle20andArticle21.
CHECKYOURPROGRESS2
Q.no.1.PartIV.A

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Q.no.2.42ndamendment
Q.no.3.ten
Q.no.4.(i)toabidebytheConstitutionandrespecttheNationalFlagandtheNationalAnthem
(ii)tocherishandfollowthenobleidealswhichinspiredournational
struggleforfreedom

POSSIBLEQUESTIONS

1.WhatdoyoumeanbyFundamentalRights?
2.DoyouthinkthatFundamentalRightsareabsolute?
3.WhatarethesixfreedomsinsertedinArt.19oftheIndianConstitution?
4.AreFundamentalRightsenforceable?
5.WhatarethevarioustypesofFundamentalRightsincludedintheIndianConstitution?
6.IndiaisasecularstateExplainthestatement.
7.UnderwhatcircumstancescanFundamentalRightsbesuspended?
8.WritefiveFundamentalDutiesofanIndiancitizen.
9.AreFundamentalDutiesenforceable?
10.ExplainthemainfeaturesofFundamentalRights?
11.HowcanFundamentalRightsofIndiancitizensbeenforced?
12.WhataretheprovisionsofmakingFundamentalRightsmoreeffective?
13.WriteashortnoteontheRighttoProperty.
14.DiscussthelimitationsofFundamentalRights.
15.WriteabriefnoteontheimportanceofFundamentalRights.

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