Write a note on 'Rights' in Indian Constitution.
Answer:
A country’s democracy ensures that individuals of the country are provided certain rights and the Government ensures that these rights of citizens are always recognised. Hence, it is a common practice across democratic nations to have the list of rights mentioned in the Constitution itself.
Such a list of rights which are protected by the Constitution and mentioned in the Constitution itself is known as the ‘bill of rights’. The ‘bill of rights’ prevents the Government from acting against those rights of the individuals. It also gives remedy to the people in case those rights are violated. The Government is bound to protect the rights of a person as it could get threatened by a private organisation or by another person.
The Rights of the people which are listed in the Constitution and which needs special protection is known as the ‘Fundamental Rights’. The word ‘Fundamental’ is used because these rights are extremely important, the Constitution lists these rights separately, and the Constitution has made special provisions to protect them. Fundamental Rights are so special that the Constitution of India itself ensures that it cannot be violated in any manner by the Government.
Fundamental Rights – Is it Absolute?
However, it must be noted that the fundamental rights are not unlimited or absolute. Reasonable restrictions can be put on the fundamental rights by the Government. For example, in the name of fundamental rights a citizen cannot endanger the sovereignty of the nation or work against the unity and integrity of the nation.
Six Important Fundamental Rights – Indian Constitution
The Fundamental Rights mentioned in the Constitution of India are listed below: