Chapter 7 polity laxmikant

In M. Laxmikanth’s 

Indian Polity (8th Edition, 2025), Chapter 7: Fundamental Rights is one of the most critical chapters. These rights are enshrined in Part III (Articles 12 to 35) and are known as the Magna Carta of India. 

I. General Features

• Justiciable: They are enforceable by courts. A person can move the Supreme Court directly (Article 32) for their enforcement.
• Not Absolute but Qualified: The state can impose reasonable restrictions on them.
• Defended and Guaranteed: By the Supreme Court.
• Amendability: They can be curtailed or repealed by Parliament via a Constitutional Amendment (Article 368), provided the ‘Basic Structure’ is not altered.
• Suspension: All rights can be suspended during a National Emergency, except those guaranteed by Articles 20 and 21. 

II. Definitions (Article 12 & 13)

• Article 12: Defines the ‘State’, which includes the Government, Parliament, State Legislatures, Local Authorities (Panchayats/Municipalities), and Statutory bodies (LIC, ONGC, etc.).
• Article 13: Declares that all laws inconsistent with Fundamental Rights shall be void. This establishes the doctrine of Judicial Review. 

III. The Six Groups of Fundamental Rights

1. Right to Equality (Articles 14–18)

• Article 14: Equality before law and equal protection of laws.
• Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• Article 16: Equality of opportunity in public employment.
• Article 17: Abolition of Untouchability. This is an absolute right.
• Article 18: Abolition of Titles (except military and academic). 

2. Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22)

• Article 19: Guarantees six democratic freedoms:
  1. Speech and Expression 2. Assembly 3. Association 4. Movement 5. Residence 6. Profession.
• Article 20: Protection in respect of conviction for offences (No ex-post-facto law, no double jeopardy, no self-incrimination).
• Article 21: Protection of life and personal liberty. It includes the right to privacy, health, and clean environment.
• Article 21A: Right to Education (for children aged 6 to 14).
• Article 22: Protection against arrest and detention. 

3. Right against Exploitation (Articles 23–24)

• Article 23: Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour (begar).
• Article 24: Prohibition of child labour in factories and hazardous mines (below 14 years). 

4. Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28) 

• Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion.
• Article 26: Freedom to manage religious affairs.
• Article 27: Freedom from taxation for promotion of a religion.
• Article 28: Freedom from attending religious instruction in certain educational institutions. 

5. Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30)

• Article 29: Protection of language, script, and culture of minorities.
• Article 30: Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions. 

6. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)

• Soul of the Constitution: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called it the “Heart and Soul of the Constitution.”
• Writs: The Supreme Court can issue 5 types of writs:
  1. Habeas Corpus (To have the body).
  2. Mandamus (We command).
  3. Prohibition (To forbid).
  4. Certiorari (To be certified).
  5. Quo-Warranto (By what authority). 

IV. Rights of Armed Forces & Martial Law

• Article 33: Empowers Parliament to restrict or abrogate fundamental rights of members of Armed Forces, paramilitary, and police.
• Article 34: Provides for the restriction of rights while Martial Law (military rule) is in force in any area. 

V. Critical Keyword: Fundamental vs. Legal Rights

• Article 31 (Right to Property): Was originally a Fundamental Right but was deleted by the 44th Amendment Act (1978). It is now only a Legal Right under Article 300A in Part XII.