Fundamental Rights of Every Citizen of India

The basic human rights of all citizens are known as their Fundamental Rights. They are laid down in the Constitution of India, to be applied irrespective of race, place of birth, religion, caste, creed, or sex. These guidelines are necessary for humans to know where they are free to exercise their will and where not - where to draw the line between freedom with morality vs. legality as well. Every Indian must be aware of his or her liberties to lead a life of peace and harmony in a democratic republic country.

Our Indian Constitution gives us the six fundamental rights as citizens of India, all of which is stated in the Constitution itself through articles 14-35.

1. Right to Equality (Articles 14-18):

• Article 14 - Equality before the law, “The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.”
• Article 15 – Against discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
  
  
• Article 16 – Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment, no discrimination regarding matters pertaining to employment or appointment to any office under the State.
  
  
• Article 17 – Abolition of untouchability as a form and an enforcement of it as an offence punishable according to the law.
  
  
• Article 18 – For social equality, no titles can be given to the citizens or India or even accepted by them from any foreign states.

2. Right to Freedom (Articles 19-22):

• Article 19 – It states the basic rights to freedom of an individual under the Constitution as,

“All citizens shall have the right

(a) to freedom of speech and expression;

(b) to assemble peaceably and without arms;

(c) to form associations or unions;

(d) to move freely throughout the territory of India;

(e) to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India; and

(f)  to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.”

• Article 20-22 – The right to protection of individuals to not be convicted for offences expect which violate the law, to not be punished for the same crime more than once, to not be compelled to be a witness against themselves; No person to be deprived of their personal liberty except according to the procedures of the law; Right to be represented by a legal practitioner if detained or arrested.

3. Right Against Exploitation (Article 23-24):

• Article 23 – Prohibition of human trafficking and forced labour.
• Article 24 – The employment of children under 14 years in factories or mines as a punishable offence.

4. Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25-28):

• Article 25 – Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
  
  
• Article 26 – Every religious denomination or section has the freedom to manage their own religious affairs.
  
  
• Article 27 – No person shall be compelled to pay any taxes, the proceeds of which are specifically appropriated in payment of expenses for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious denomination.
  
  
• Article 28 – Freedom of attendance at religious instruction or religious worship at certain educational institutions.

However, on the exception of when the interest of public order, morality, health or other conditions are to be considered, at other times everybody has the right to profess, practice and propagate his religion freely.

5. Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29-30):

To allow each community to run its own institution and preserve its culture and language, Articles 29 and 30 state that the minorities have a right to protect their interests and establish and administer educational institutions.

(Article 31 has been omitted by the 44th Amendment Act)

6. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Articles 32-35):

Whenever a citizen’s fundamental rights have been intruded upon, they can appeal to the Supreme Court to safeguard the rights of the citizen.

Every citizen of the world must be aware of the fundamental rights that they enjoy in their own country. Knowledge is power, and to be in the dark for ignorance is your own loss if you are ever deprived of your rights as a human being.