Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Sociology

Chapter

Social Change and Development in India: The Constitution and Social Change

Question:

How did the Supreme Court enhance Fundamental Rights, particularly relating to the Right to Life under Article 21?

Options:

By restricting individual liberty.

By narrowing the scope of Article 20.

By expanding the interpretation to include various aspects of a quality life.

By expanding the scope of Fundamental Duties.

Correct Answer:

By expanding the interpretation to include various aspects of a quality life.

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (3) - By expanding the interpretation to include various aspects of a quality life.

The Supreme Court, through its judgments, has interpreted Article 21 of the Indian Constitution expansively to include not only the right to life but also the right to live with dignity. This interpretation has led to the recognition of various facets of a quality life, such as the right to clean environment, right to health, right to education, right to livelihood, and right to shelter, among others, under the ambit of Article 21. This broad interpretation has significantly enhanced the protection of Fundamental Rights, particularly the Right to Life, for the citizens of India.

"A Fundamental Right includes all that is incidental to it. The terse words of Article 21 recognising the right to life and liberty have been interpreted as including all that goes into a life of quality, including livelihood, health, shelter, education and dignity. In various pronouncements, different attributes of ‘life’ have been expanded and ‘life’ has been explained to mean more than mere animal existence. These interpretations have been used to provide relief to prisoners subjected to torture and deprivation, release and rehabilitation of bonded labourers, against environmentally degrading activities, to provide primary healthcare and primary education. In 1993 the Supreme Court held that Right to Information is a part of and incidental to the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression under Article 19(1) (a). "