PPT: Rights in the Indian Constitution | Political Science Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN 
CONSTITUTION
Page 2


RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN 
CONSTITUTION
THE IMPORTANCE OF RIGHTS
In 1982, for the Asian Games, the government hired 
contractors who employed many poor workers 
from across the country to build flyovers and 
stadiums. These workers had poor conditions and 
received less than the minimum wage. Social 
scientists studied this and appealed to the 
Supreme Court, arguing that paying less than 
minimum wage was forced labor, violating their 
rights. The court agreed and ensured the workers 
received proper wages.
Machal Lalung, 23, from Assam, was arrested for 
causing injuries. Deemed mentally unfit for trial, he 
was sent to a mental hospital for treatment. 
Doctors declared him fit for trial in 1967 and 1996, 
but he remained in custody. Machal was released 
in July 2005, aged 77, after 54 years of custody 
without a hearing. The National Human Rights 
Commission intervened after an inspection.
Page 3


RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN 
CONSTITUTION
THE IMPORTANCE OF RIGHTS
In 1982, for the Asian Games, the government hired 
contractors who employed many poor workers 
from across the country to build flyovers and 
stadiums. These workers had poor conditions and 
received less than the minimum wage. Social 
scientists studied this and appealed to the 
Supreme Court, arguing that paying less than 
minimum wage was forced labor, violating their 
rights. The court agreed and ensured the workers 
received proper wages.
Machal Lalung, 23, from Assam, was arrested for 
causing injuries. Deemed mentally unfit for trial, he 
was sent to a mental hospital for treatment. 
Doctors declared him fit for trial in 1967 and 1996, 
but he remained in custody. Machal was released 
in July 2005, aged 77, after 54 years of custody 
without a hearing. The National Human Rights 
Commission intervened after an inspection.
BILL OF RIGHTS
1
Both these examples show 
the importance of having 
rights and of the actual 
implementation of these 
rights. A democracy must 
ensure that individuals have 
certain rights and that the 
government will always 
recognise these rights.
2
Therefore it is often a 
practice in most 
democratic countries to list 
the rights of the citizens in 
the constitution itself. Such 
a list of rights mentioned 
and protected by the 
constitution is called the 'bill 
of rights'.
3
A bill of rights prohibits 
government from thus 
acting against the rights of 
the individuals and ensures 
a remedy in case there is 
violation of these rights.
4
From whom does a constitution protect the 
rights of the individual? The rights of a person 
may be threatened by another person or 
private organisation. In such a situation, the 
individual would need the protection of the 
government. So, it is necessary that the 
government is bound to protect the rights of 
the individual.
5
On the other hand, the organs of the 
government (the legislature, executive, 
bureaucracy or even the judiciary), in the 
course of their functioning, may violate the 
rights of the person.
Page 4


RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN 
CONSTITUTION
THE IMPORTANCE OF RIGHTS
In 1982, for the Asian Games, the government hired 
contractors who employed many poor workers 
from across the country to build flyovers and 
stadiums. These workers had poor conditions and 
received less than the minimum wage. Social 
scientists studied this and appealed to the 
Supreme Court, arguing that paying less than 
minimum wage was forced labor, violating their 
rights. The court agreed and ensured the workers 
received proper wages.
Machal Lalung, 23, from Assam, was arrested for 
causing injuries. Deemed mentally unfit for trial, he 
was sent to a mental hospital for treatment. 
Doctors declared him fit for trial in 1967 and 1996, 
but he remained in custody. Machal was released 
in July 2005, aged 77, after 54 years of custody 
without a hearing. The National Human Rights 
Commission intervened after an inspection.
BILL OF RIGHTS
1
Both these examples show 
the importance of having 
rights and of the actual 
implementation of these 
rights. A democracy must 
ensure that individuals have 
certain rights and that the 
government will always 
recognise these rights.
2
Therefore it is often a 
practice in most 
democratic countries to list 
the rights of the citizens in 
the constitution itself. Such 
a list of rights mentioned 
and protected by the 
constitution is called the 'bill 
of rights'.
3
A bill of rights prohibits 
government from thus 
acting against the rights of 
the individuals and ensures 
a remedy in case there is 
violation of these rights.
4
From whom does a constitution protect the 
rights of the individual? The rights of a person 
may be threatened by another person or 
private organisation. In such a situation, the 
individual would need the protection of the 
government. So, it is necessary that the 
government is bound to protect the rights of 
the individual.
5
On the other hand, the organs of the 
government (the legislature, executive, 
bureaucracy or even the judiciary), in the 
course of their functioning, may violate the 
rights of the person.
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN 
CONSTITUTION
During India's freedom 
movement, leaders 
recognized the importance of 
rights and urged the British to 
respect them. The Motilal 
Nehru Committee proposed a 
bill of rights in 1928.
Therefore, when India gained 
independence and created its 
Constitution, everyone agreed 
that rights should be included 
and protected.
The Constitution lists specially 
protected rights called 
'fundamental rights'. This term 
highlights their importance, 
with specific constitutional 
provisions ensuring their 
protection.
Fundamental Rights are crucial, so the Constitution ensures the government doesn't violate them. Unlike 
ordinary legal rights enforced by regular laws, Fundamental Rights are protected and guaranteed by the 
Constitution itself.
Page 5


RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN 
CONSTITUTION
THE IMPORTANCE OF RIGHTS
In 1982, for the Asian Games, the government hired 
contractors who employed many poor workers 
from across the country to build flyovers and 
stadiums. These workers had poor conditions and 
received less than the minimum wage. Social 
scientists studied this and appealed to the 
Supreme Court, arguing that paying less than 
minimum wage was forced labor, violating their 
rights. The court agreed and ensured the workers 
received proper wages.
Machal Lalung, 23, from Assam, was arrested for 
causing injuries. Deemed mentally unfit for trial, he 
was sent to a mental hospital for treatment. 
Doctors declared him fit for trial in 1967 and 1996, 
but he remained in custody. Machal was released 
in July 2005, aged 77, after 54 years of custody 
without a hearing. The National Human Rights 
Commission intervened after an inspection.
BILL OF RIGHTS
1
Both these examples show 
the importance of having 
rights and of the actual 
implementation of these 
rights. A democracy must 
ensure that individuals have 
certain rights and that the 
government will always 
recognise these rights.
2
Therefore it is often a 
practice in most 
democratic countries to list 
the rights of the citizens in 
the constitution itself. Such 
a list of rights mentioned 
and protected by the 
constitution is called the 'bill 
of rights'.
3
A bill of rights prohibits 
government from thus 
acting against the rights of 
the individuals and ensures 
a remedy in case there is 
violation of these rights.
4
From whom does a constitution protect the 
rights of the individual? The rights of a person 
may be threatened by another person or 
private organisation. In such a situation, the 
individual would need the protection of the 
government. So, it is necessary that the 
government is bound to protect the rights of 
the individual.
5
On the other hand, the organs of the 
government (the legislature, executive, 
bureaucracy or even the judiciary), in the 
course of their functioning, may violate the 
rights of the person.
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN 
CONSTITUTION
During India's freedom 
movement, leaders 
recognized the importance of 
rights and urged the British to 
respect them. The Motilal 
Nehru Committee proposed a 
bill of rights in 1928.
Therefore, when India gained 
independence and created its 
Constitution, everyone agreed 
that rights should be included 
and protected.
The Constitution lists specially 
protected rights called 
'fundamental rights'. This term 
highlights their importance, 
with specific constitutional 
provisions ensuring their 
protection.
Fundamental Rights are crucial, so the Constitution ensures the government doesn't violate them. Unlike 
ordinary legal rights enforced by regular laws, Fundamental Rights are protected and guaranteed by the 
Constitution itself.
BILL OF RIGHTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN 
CONSTITUTION
Key Features
Inaugurated in December 1996
Created during threat of civil war after 
dissolution of Apartheid government
"Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in 
South Africa"
Forbids discrimination on various grounds
Grants extensive range of rights to citizens
Special constitutional court enforces rights
Rights Included
Right to Dignity
Right to Privacy
Right to fair labour practices
Right to healthy environment and protection 
of environment
Right to adequate housing
Right to health care, food, water and social 
security
Children's rights
Right to basic and higher education
Right of cultural, religious and linguistic 
communities
Right to information