Why Fundamental Rights Matter for Every Student in India
The history of Fundamental Rights (which were lawfully enforceable) probably starts from the Magna Carta, which was a list of Rights extracted from King John by the people of England in 1214 AD. The most significant advancement in the history of Fundamental Rights occurred when through the first 10 amendments, the USA incorporated certain Fundamental Rights into its constitution in the form of the "Bill of Rights." In this Essay on Fundamental Rights, we shall talk about the various Rights provided to Indian citizens and what they stand for.
Long Fundamental Rights Essay in English
Fundamental Rights were borrowed from the constitution of the United States of America.
The constituent assembly of India adopted the constitution of India on 26th November 1949, which came into effect on 26th January 1950. It contains 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 12 Schedules. Part III (Articles 12 to 35) of the Constitution of India consists of Rights which are essential for the overall development of individuals, are also termed as Fundamental Rights. Fundamental Rights are universal, that is, they apply to all the citizens of India irrespective of their race, birthplace, Religion, caste, gender or gender identity. Earlier there were seven Fundamental Rights, but later on the ‘Right to Property’ was abolished. Currently, we have six Fundamental Rights.
Right to Equality
The Right to EQuality is guaranteed by the constitution of India through articles 14 to 18 (of which article 14 is the most important). Right to EQuality refers to everyone being equal in the eyes of the law. It prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, caste, creed etc by providing equal opportunity for employment. The article also abolishes untouchability and titles.
Right to Freedom
Articles 19 to 22 guarantee the Right to Freedom in the constitution of India. It guarantees all Indian citizens with Freedom of speech and expression; Freedom to assemble peacefully; Freedom for forming cooperative societies or unions or companies; Freedom to move freely in India; Freedom to reside or settle anywhere in India and the Freedom to practice any profession or carry on any occupation, trade or business of their choice. Although the government has the right to impose certain restrictions on these Freedoms in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India.
Right to Information has been given the status of a Fundamental right in 2005, under article 19(1) of the Indian Constitution.
Right Against Exploitation
Articles 23 and 24 guarantees the right against Exploitation and focuses mainly on two provisions. The first being the abolition of human trafficking and Begar (Forced Labour) and secondly, the abolition of employment of children under the age of 14 in jobs with a risky environment like factories, mines etc.
Right to Freedom of Religion
Articles 25 to 28 provide religious Freedom to all Indian citizens. The main objective of this right is to sustain secularism in our country. It assures that all Religions are equal in the eyes of the state and none of them is given preference over the other. It allows the citizens to preach, practise, and propagate the Religion of their choice. It also provides religious communities to set up charitable institutions.
Cultural and Educational Rights
Articles 29 and 30 provide every Indian citizen with Rights to education and cultures. It assures that every citizen gets equal opportunities in terms of education while giving minority communities the right to admission in colleges and universities without any discrimination. It also gives minority communities the right to establish Educational institutions to preserve and develop their culture.
Right to Constitutional Remedies
Articles 32 to 35 empowers all Indian citizens to move to the court of law whenever they are denied their Fundamental Rights. Article 32 is also termed as the citizens right to protect and defend the constitution as it allows the citizens to enforce the constitution through the judiciary.
The main objective of Right to Constitutional Remedies is to enforce Fundamental Rights.
Short Fundamental Rights Essay in English
Fundamental Rights are considered the Rights that are integral to the advancement of the human race. All other Rights are derived as direct consequences or application of their principles from such Rights. Among philosophers, it is an accepted belief that these Rights are nothing but "natural human Rights" that distinguish between humans and animals. So, these have played a rather important role in bringing humans all the way from the Stone Age to the present. It was regarded that such Rights were beyond the complexities of politics. The constitution's protection meant that these Rights could not be put to the vote and were not dependent on politicians or the majority's whims.
Why do we Need Fundamental Rights?
Such Rights are a safeguard for citizens against the government as it is necessary to have the rule of law and not a government or a person. These Rights do not dare to be transgressed by authority as they are explicitly given to the people by the Constitution. The courts are fully required to uphold these Rights and the government is answerable to the courts. After living in subjugation for so long, people have forgotten what liberty means. These Rights offer people the hope and belief that their growth will not be halted. They're free from the rulers' whims. These Rights are, in that sense, the first fruits of the long struggle for Freedom and bring a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
Even in Gulf countries or Communist countries, citizens are free. How is our liberty, then, different from theirs? A clear measure of how free we are in the list of Fundamental Rights. For example, every Indian citizen is free to practice a Religion of his choice, but that is not the case in Gulf countries. Our right to speech and expression enables us to criticize the government freely.
In conclusion, we can say that the Indian constitution was framed after a thorough analysis of all the constitutions in the world, and successfully incorporates all the good things existing in them.
Fundamental Rights Essay
Though the above content provided information about Fundamental Rights, it also gave you an outline of how an Essay should be written.
The Essay on Fundamental Rights contained some information about the topic and talked about long and short Essays.
Students might find it difficult to understand how they shall proceed whenever asked to write on any topic.
Since writing is a free form of expression and requires limited skills, there are no rules to it. But, in these times, when everything is advancing, you're expected to be able to deliver the best content.
To equip them with the relevant points, there are some tips listed below.
Go through them and master the skill of writing, thereafter!
Read and Understand the Prompt
Before you can start writing, it is important for you to understand the prompt that you're offered. Without comprehending what you've asked to do, your content would never be impactful. The best way to understand it is to dissect it into parts. You might also consider making a small flowchart that clearly defines the flow of ideas in your head. Students shall understand that it is better to spend the first few minutes planning and organising things than to present an unorganised and unclear content. This in no way means that you have to adopt a formulaic approach to it but just try to deliver the best that they can.Plan the Flow
The next important thing for you to do is pen down the flow of points, as specific as the alphabet. Each point should have a ‘what next’ factor attached to it and that is how you can expect yourself to deliver higher Quality content. The importance of working in a planned and organised way is not unknown to any of us and that is what can help us move ahead with the ideas in our heads. Preparing a web with all the details is a great way to do it.Make a Rough Draft
Brainstorming and organising all that you have inside your head related to a particular topic is a good way before you deliver. Students are advised to prepare a small, concise, rough draft of their topics. Drafts are often regarded as crappy stuff but the truth is that it makes you analyse and rethink whatever you've thought till then. And there's where the new flow of ideas comes from. Make sure that your content is answering and giving the information of the prompt.Follow a Simple Format
Students often think that complicating the format or using too many fancy words in a piece of content impresses the reader and that fetches you more marks. However, it doesn't work this way. For good content, words must be easy to understand and they should always have a relatability factor attached so that it becomes easier for the audience to connect and understand whatever you are trying to convey.Proofread your Content
Last but not least, the most important step to do before finalising the content is to proofread it. When we try to pen down things, we often make mistakes. However, reading it once again allows you to study it again and check for mistakes. In case that you've missed anything important, you can further review and add that piece of information too. It may take a little more time of yours but the results would be worth it.
FAQs on Essay on Fundamental Rights: Meaning, Types & Significance
1. What are the six Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution?
The Indian Constitution guarantees six fundamental rights to its citizens, which are essential for their individual development and well-being. These are:
- Right to Equality (Articles 14-18): Ensures equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
- Right to Freedom (Articles 19-22): Includes freedoms of speech, expression, assembly, association, movement, and the right to practice any profession.
- Right against Exploitation (Articles 23-24): Prohibits all forms of forced labour, child labour, and human trafficking.
- Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25-28): Guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practice, and propagate any religion.
- Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29-30): Protects the rights of religious, cultural, and linguistic minorities by allowing them to conserve their heritage and establish educational institutions.
- Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32): Empowers citizens to move the Supreme Court to enforce their fundamental rights if they are violated.
2. Why are Fundamental Rights considered so important for a democracy like India?
Fundamental Rights form the bedrock of Indian democracy. Their importance lies in their ability to protect citizens from the arbitrary power of the state. They establish a government of laws, not of men, preventing the rise of authoritarianism. These rights guarantee essential civil liberties like freedom of speech and expression, which are crucial for public debate and holding the government accountable. By ensuring equality and protecting minority interests, they promote an inclusive society and uphold the dignity of every individual.
3. What is the best way to structure an essay on Fundamental Rights for a school assignment?
A well-structured essay on Fundamental Rights should be clear, logical, and informative. Follow this format for the best results:
- Introduction: Start by defining what Fundamental Rights are and state their importance in the Indian Constitution. Your opening sentence could be a powerful statement about democracy or liberty. End the introduction with a clear thesis statement outlining what the essay will cover.
- Body Paragraphs: Dedicate separate paragraphs to explain the different categories of Fundamental Rights (e.g., Right to Equality, Right to Freedom). In each paragraph, explain the right's meaning and give one or two simple examples of how it applies in daily life.
- Conclusion: Summarise the key points discussed in the body. Reiterate the overall importance of Fundamental Rights and end with a concluding thought on their role in protecting the rights and dignity of every Indian citizen.
4. Why is the Right to Constitutional Remedies often called the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution?
The Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32) is called the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution because it makes all other rights meaningful. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar gave it this title because a right without a remedy is useless. This right acts as a guarantee, allowing any citizen to directly approach the Supreme Court or High Courts if their Fundamental Rights are violated. The courts can then issue writs (orders) to the government to restore those rights. Without this enforcement mechanism, the other Fundamental Rights would just be promises on paper with no way to enforce them.
5. How are Fundamental Rights different from Fundamental Duties?
Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties are two sides of the same coin but are distinct in their nature and application. The key difference is that Fundamental Rights are entitlements guaranteed to citizens by the Constitution, which they can claim from the state. They are justiciable, meaning one can go to court if they are violated. In contrast, Fundamental Duties are moral obligations on citizens to help promote a spirit of patriotism and uphold the unity of India. They are non-justiciable, which means they cannot be enforced by courts.
6. Can the government ever restrict or suspend our Fundamental Rights?
Yes, Fundamental Rights are not absolute and can be subject to reasonable restrictions. The government can suspend certain Fundamental Rights during a National Emergency to protect the nation's security and sovereignty. For example, freedoms under the Right to Freedom (Article 19) can be automatically suspended. However, even during an emergency, the Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21) and the Right to Protection in Respect of Conviction for Offences (Article 20) can never be suspended. This ensures a basic level of protection for individuals even in extraordinary circumstances.
7. How can I use real-world examples to make my essay on Fundamental Rights more impactful?
Using real-world examples transforms your essay from a theoretical list into a powerful argument. For instance:
- When discussing the Right to Equality, you can mention laws that ensure equal pay for equal work for men and women.
- For the Right to Freedom of Speech, you could refer to the role of journalists and citizens in raising awareness about social issues.
- When explaining the Right against Exploitation, you can cite the ban on child labour in hazardous industries like firecracker factories.
These examples make the concepts relatable and demonstrate a deeper understanding of how these rights function in society.
8. What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing an essay on a topic like Fundamental Rights?
To write an excellent essay on Fundamental Rights, avoid these common mistakes:
- Just Listing, Not Explaining: Do not just list the six rights. Explain the significance and meaning of each one.
- Lack of Structure: An essay without a clear introduction, body, and conclusion is hard to follow. Plan your structure before you start writing.
- Ignoring the 'Why': A great essay doesn't just state what the rights are but also explains why they are important for individuals and the nation.
- Vague Conclusion: Ensure your conclusion summarises your main points and provides a strong final thought, rather than just stopping abruptly.
