A petition by a human rights group drew attention of the court to the condition of starvation and hunger in the country. Over five crore tonnes of food grains was stored in the godowns of the Food Corporation of India. Research shows that a large number of ration cardholders do not know about the quantity of food grains they can purchase from fair price shops. It requested the court to order the government to improve its public distribution system.

a. Which different rights does this case involve? How are these rights interlinked?

b. Should these rights form part of the right to life?

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Solution

a.

The case involves the use of Right to speech and expression and constitutional remedy. These rights were used by the human rights group to inform the court about the prevailing condition of hunger and starvation, thus requesting the court to order the government to improve public distribution system.

The right to life of people is also invoked to address hunger and starvation.

These rights are interlinked as freedom of speech provides the basis for constitutional remedies.

b. Yes, these rights should form part of the right to life as they are necessary for the sustenance of people.

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Similar questions

The following is a poster made by the Right to Food Campaign.

Read this poster and list the duties of the government to uphold the Right to Food.

How does the phrase “hungry stomachs, overflowing godowns! We will not accept it!!” used in the poster relate to the photo essay on the Right to food on page 61?

(a) State the function of Food Corporation of India.

(b) What is done to protect the grains stored in gunny bags in big godowns from damage ?

Statement: Should the government ban export of all types of food grains for the next one year to tide over the unpredicted drought situation in the country?

Arguments:

I. Yes, there is no other way to provide food to its citizens during the year.

II. No, the government does not have its jurisdiction over private exporters for banning export.

III. Yes, the government should not allow the exporters export food grains and procure all the food grains held by such exporters and make it available for home consumption.

Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country?

(a) Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation.

(b) Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.

(d) People are free to believe in and practise any religion.

Q. The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 seeks to make the right to food a legal entitlement by providing subsidized food grains to nearly two-thirds of the population. Despite this the problem of hunger and malnutrition remains acute in some states of India. What change in approach shall be adopted to tackle this issue?

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