RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION

INTRODUCTION A constitution is not only about the composition of the various organs of government and the relations among them. As we studied in the last chapter, the constitution is a document that sets limits on the powers of the government and ensures a democratic system in which all persons enjoy certain rights. In this chapter, we shall study the Fundamental Rights contained in the Indian Constitution. Part three of the Constitution of India lists the Fundamental Rights and also mentions the limits on these rights.

In the past fifty years, the scope of rights has changed and in some respects, expanded. After studying this chapter, you would know ± what are the various Fundamental Rights listed in the Constitution of India; ± how these rights are protected; ± what role the judiciary has played in protecting and interpreting these rights; and ± what is the difference between the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy.