Fundamental rights form the cornerstone of the Indian Constitution, guaranteeing essential freedoms and protections to all citizens. Articles 14 to 32 enshrine these rights and outline their scope and limitations. Let's delve into each article, along with the associated restrictions:
### Article 14: Right to Equality
- **Description:** This article ensures equality before the law and prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
- **Restrictions:** Reasonable classification is allowed for the application of laws. The State can make special provisions for women, children, and socially and educationally backward classes.
### Article 15: Prohibition of Discrimination
- **Description:** It prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth in access to public places, employment, and the use of public resources.
- **Restrictions:** Special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, SCs, STs, and women are permitted.
### Article 16: Equality of Opportunity in Public Employment
- **Description:** This article ensures equality of opportunity in matters of public employment and prohibits discrimination in recruitment based on religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, or residence.
- **Restrictions:** Certain posts can be reserved for SCs, STs, and OBCs, and the State can make provisions for reservation, age relaxation, and qualifications.
### Article 17: Abolition of Untouchability
- **Description:** It abolishes the practice of untouchability in any form and forbids its practice in any public place.
- **Restrictions:** None specified.
### Article 18: Abolition of Titles
- **Description:** This article prohibits the State from conferring titles, except military and academic distinctions.
- **Restrictions:** Foreign titles can be accepted with the President's permission.
### Article 19: Protection of Certain Rights Regarding Freedom
- **Description:** Article 19 grants six freedoms: (a) Freedom of Speech and Expression, (b) Freedom to Assemble Peacefully, (c) Freedom to Form Associations or Unions, (d) Freedom to Move Freely, (e) Freedom to Reside and Settle in any Part of India, and (f) Freedom to Practice Any Profession, Occupation, Trade, or Business.
- **Restrictions:** Reasonable restrictions can be imposed in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign countries, public order, decency, morality, contempt of court, defamation, and incitement to an offense.
### Article 20: Protection in Respect of Conviction for Offenses
- **Description:** It protects individuals against ex-post facto laws, double jeopardy, and self-incrimination.
- **Restrictions:** None specified.
### Article 21: Right to Life and Personal Liberty
- **Description:** This article ensures the right to life and personal liberty, which includes right to privacy, dignity, and humane treatment.
- **Restrictions:** Deprivation of life or personal liberty must be according to procedure established by law.
### Article 22: Protection Against Arrest and Detention
- **Description:** It provides safeguards against arrest and detention, including the right to be informed of grounds of arrest and consult a legal practitioner.
- **Restrictions:** Preventive detention laws must comply with certain safeguards, including the right to be informed of grounds, representation, and review.
### Article 23: Prohibition of Traffic in Human Beings and Forced Labor
- **Description:** It prohibits traffic in human beings, begar (forced labor), and other similar forms of forced labor.
- **Restrictions:** None specified.
### Article 24: Prohibition of Employment of Children in Factories, etc.
- **Description:** This article prohibits the employment of children under the age of 14 in hazardous occupations.
### Article 25: Freedom of Religion
- **Description:** It guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion.
- **Restrictions:** Public order, morality, and health can be grounds for regulating religious practices.
### Article 26: Freedom to Manage Religious Affairs
- **Description:** This article grants the freedom to manage religious institutions and affairs.
- **Restrictions:** None specified.
### Article 27: Freedom from Payment of Taxes for Promotion of Any Particular Religion
- **Description:** It prohibits the use of public funds for promoting any religion.
- **Restrictions:** None specified.
### Article 28: Freedom from Religious Instruction in Educational Institutions
- **Description:** This article prohibits religious instruction in educational institutions wholly maintained by the State.
- **Restrictions:** None specified.
### Article 29: Protection of Interests of Minorities
- **Description:** It protects the rights of minorities to conserve their language, script, or culture.
- **Restrictions:** None specified.
### Article 30: Right of Minorities to Establish and Administer Educational Institutions
- **Description:** This article grants minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
- **Restrictions:** None specified.
### Article 31: Right to Property (Abolished)
- **Description:** Originally guaranteed the right to acquire, hold, and dispose of property, it was removed by the 44th Amendment Act, 1978.
- **Restrictions:** None specified (repealed).
### Article 32: Remedies for Enforcement of Fundamental Rights
- **Description:** It provides individuals with the right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights through writs like habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, and certiorari.
- **Restrictions:** None specified.
Understanding these fundamental rights and their associated restrictions is crucial for upholding democratic principles and ensuring justice and equality in society. They form the bedrock of India's constitutional framework, safeguarding the rights and liberties of its citizens.
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