📜 What are Rights?
- Rights are legal or moral entitlements to do or not do something.
- They protect individual freedom and dignity.
- Rights help people live with equality, justice, and respect in society.
📜 Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution
The Constitution of India guarantees six Fundamental Rights to all citizens:
- Right to Equality (Articles 14–18): Prohibits discrimination and ensures equal treatment.
- Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22): Includes freedom of speech, expression, movement, etc.
- Right against Exploitation (Articles 23–24): Protects against human trafficking and child labor.
- Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28): Ensures religious freedom and secularism.
- Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30): Protects minority groups and their institutions.
- Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32): Allows citizens to approach courts to protect rights.
⚖️ Role of Judiciary
The Supreme Court and High Courts protect Fundamental Rights. Citizens can file writs like:
- Habeas Corpus: To produce a person in court who is detained illegally.
- Mandamus: To command a public official to perform duty.
- Prohibition, Certiorari, Quo-Warranto: To check unlawful action or power misuse.
🧱 Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles
Though not enforceable like Fundamental Rights, these guide citizens and governments:
- Directive Principles of State Policy: Aimed at creating social and economic democracy.
- Fundamental Duties: Added in 1976 (42nd Amendment) to remind citizens of responsibilities.
🌐 Key Takeaways
- Rights empower individuals in a democracy.
- They maintain a balance between the citizen and the state.
- Courts act as protectors of these rights.