Question

How is the Right to Equality mentioned in our Constitution?

Answer 1

Hint: Fundamental Rights are very significant in the Indian Constitution and are essential for the development of an individual. Right to Equality under the fundamental rights is included in Articles 14-18 of the Indian Constitution.

Complete Step by Step Answer: Articles 14-18 of the constitution deal with the Right to Equality-

- Equality before law: Article 14 guarantees equality before law and says that the state shall not deny to any person equality before law or the equal protection of laws within the territory of India.
- No discrimination: article 15 provides that the state shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of race, religion, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them in matters of access to public places and their use such as wells, tanks, bathing ghats, public parks, roads, streets and other places of entertainment.
- Equality of opportunity: article 16 provides equal opportunities to all the citizens in matters of access to public offices. It provides that no discrimination shall be made only on grounds of creed, caste, colour, sex, religion or place of birth in matter of any appointment under the state. The State however can make necessary provisions for the reservation of posts for or Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes. It can also lay down certain qualifications for making appointments to public offices.
- Abolition of Untouchability: Article 17 provides that untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. It's practice shall be an offence on issuable in accordance with law.
- Abolition of Titles: Article 18 abolishes titles and forbids the state from conferring title except those of military and academic distinction upon any one. Indian citizens are also forbidden from accepting any title from any foreign state without the permission of the President of India.

Note: The other five fundamental rights mentioned in the Indian Constitution are Right to Freedom (Article 19 to 22), Right against exploitation (Article 23 to 24), Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25 to 28), Cultural and Educational Rights (Article 29 to 30) and Rights to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32).