A right means an authority given to a citizen. It may be a natural right (e.g. the right to live and to protect one’s life) or a legal right (e.g. the right to equality and the right to education).

• Every human being gets certain rights by birth. No one can be left out because of race, caste, language, religion or gender. These are called human rights and are recognised all over the world.
• Origin: all world philosophies praise the greatness of human beings. The poet Sarvajna said, “If you treat your neighbour as yourself, that itself is heaven” (Thannante parara bagedode kailasa binnanavakku). As progress made people selfish, the idea of human rights grew, to give everyone freedom, equality and a life free from discrimination. Harold J. Laski said, “Human rights are legal, humane and social conditions.”
• Universal Declaration: wars between races and religions, and the two World Wars, killed millions. To stop such cruelty and inequality, the United Nations was formed, and it made the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948.

1. They help the all-round development of a person.
2. They lay the foundation for a dignified life.
3. They inspire a humane and fair society.
4. They build a harmonious relationship between the individual and the State.
5. They are the essence of global living.

• Child rights are part of human rights. Every child has the right to grow up with father and mother, and to protection, food, education and health, without discrimination of race, sex, colour, religion or disability.
• The Constitution gives free and compulsory education to children below 14 years. Denying education or making a child work (paid or unpaid) is child labour and violates child rights.
• The Child Labour Prohibition Act, 1986: violators can be jailed for 3 months to 1 year, fined, or both.
• Human Rights Commissions work from local to international level. The helpline 1098 protects child rights. In 2012 the UN declared that a good, sustainable environment, with health, housing, food, water and sanitation, is also a human right.

Fundamental Rights are rights written and protected in the Constitution. No one can violate them. Some individual freedom is needed for national development, so the Constitution gives six Fundamental Rights to all citizens.

1. Right to equality: all are equal before the law and get equal protection of the law. No discrimination by religion, caste, gender or place of birth; everyone can use hotels, shops, public wells, lakes, roads and recreation places; all can join government service; no one can be stopped from praying at public places of worship. Laws also protect gender minorities, e.g. the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and Karnataka’s State Policy on Transgender, 2017.
2. Right to freedom: freedom of speech and expression; to assemble peacefully without arms; to form associations; to move throughout India; to reside anywhere in India; to practise any profession, trade or business. But freedom has limits: we cannot speak words that hurt others’ dignity.
3. Right against exploitation: the poor, women, children and the weak must not be exploited. Bonded labour is banned; children cannot work in dangerous jobs like mining, beedi making or firecracker making; child labour is banned; children must get education till 14; trafficking of women and children is banned.
4. Right to freedom of religion: citizens can follow any religion, without disturbing public peace, order and health. Conversion by force, fraud or inducement is not allowed.
5. Cultural and educational rights: protect religious and linguistic minorities; people can protect their language, script and culture; minorities can start and run educational institutions, following state rules.
6. Right to constitutional remedy: if Fundamental Rights are violated, a citizen can go directly to the High Court or Supreme Court. Such petitions are called writ petitions.

Fundamental rights and duties are two faces of the same coin. A duty is a person’s responsibility to the country. A country prospers easily when citizens do their duties willingly. The Constitution lists eleven Fundamental Duties.

1. Respect the Constitution, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
2. Follow the noble ideals of the freedom movement.
3. Protect the unity and integrity of India.
4. Defend the country.
5. Develop brotherhood among all Indians.
6. Protect our rich cultural heritage and monuments.
7. Protect and improve the natural environment.
8. Develop a scientific attitude and reasoning.
9. Protect public property and give up violence.
10. Strive for excellence in individual and group activities for the nation’s progress.
11. Parents or guardians must give education to children aged 6 to 14.