Question

What do you understand by the term "all persons are equal before the law's? Why do you think it is important in a democracy ?

Answer 1

Hint: The term 'equality' refers to the absence of special privileges to any section of the society, along with provision of adequate opportunities for all the individuals regardless of any discrimination.

Complete answer:
By the term “all persons are equal before the law” we understand that the law applies to everyone irrespective of their class, gender, caste etc. It is considered that the law expects everyone to treat each other as the same and equal. This is very important in a democracy in order to preserve the true nature of a democratic society where everyone’s dignity is to be respected.

Equality is the essence of democracy. Equality is one of the most important factors in a democracy as democracy refers to the government of the people, by the people and for the people. If people are discriminated against on the basis of caste, religion, creed, sex, prosperity etc. then the democracy can not survive.

The Constitution of India recognises every person as equal which means that each and every individual in the country, including male and female persons from all the religions, castes , tribes, educational as well as economic backgrounds are regarded as equal. This is not to say that inequality ceases to exist. It doesn’t. But at least, in democratic India, the principle of the equality of all persons is specifically recognised.

Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
(1) The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race,caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.
(2) No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them, be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to –
(a) access to shops, public restaurants, hotels and places of public entertainment;or
(b) the use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads and places of public resort maintained wholly or partly out of State funds or dedicated to the use of the general public.

Note: The Preamble secures to all citizens of India equality of status as well as opportunity. This provision embraces three dimensions of equality- civic, political and lastly , economical.