Rights in the Indian Constitution

Assuming that the facts given above are correct, you have to decide: Does this case involve violation of Fundamental Rights? What would you order the government to do in this case?

Do you think that the following situations demand restrictions on right to freedom? Give reasons to support your answer.

Use these facts to write a petition to the Supreme Court of India under the Right to Constitutional Remedies. Your petition should mention:

What difference, do you think, this change of status makes to the right to property?

Read the main points of the Bill of Rights in the South African Constitution and the Directive Principles in India. Which are the common points in the two lists? Why did the South African Constitution put these in the Bill of Rights? If you were writing the constitution for a new country, what would you suggest?

Write true or false against each of these statements:

Which of the following is the best description of Fundamental Rights?

Read the following situations. Which Fundamental Right is being used or violated in each case and how?

Which of the following is a correct interpretation of the Cultural and Educational Rights?

An activist working among the poor says that the poor don't need Fundamental Rights. What they need are Directive Principles to be made legally binding. Do you agree with this? Give your reasons.

Several reports show that caste groups previously associated with scavenging are forced to continue in this job. Those in positions of authority refuse to give them any other job. Their children are discouraged from pursuing education. Which of their Fundamental Rights are being violated in this instance?

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.

Read the statement by Somnath Lahiri in the Constituent Assembly quoted in this chapter. Do you agree with him? If yes, give instances to prove it. If not, give arguments against his position.

Which of the Fundamental Rights is in your opinion the most important right? Summarise its provisions and give arguments to show why it is most important.