An activist working among the poor says that the poor don’t need Fundamental Rights. What they need are Directive Principles to be made legally binding. Do you agree with this? Give your reasons.

Read the statement by Somnath Lahiri in the Constituent Assembly quoted in this chapter. Do you agree with him? If yes, give instances to prove it. If not, give arguments against his position.

Read the following situations. Which Fundamental Right is being used or violated in each case and how?

A. Overweight male cabin crew are allowed to get promotion in the national airlines but their women colleagues who gain weight are penalised.

B. A director makes a documentary film that criticises the policies of the government.

C. People displaced by a big dam take out a rally demanding rehabilitation.

D. Andhra society runs Telugu medium schools outside Andhra Pradesh.

Which of the following is the best description of Fundamental Rights?

Which of the following is a correct interpretation of the Cultural and Educational Rights?

Write true or false against each of these statements:

A. A Bill of Rights lays down the rights enjoyed by the people of a country.

B. A Bill of Rights protects the liberties of an individual.

C. Every country of the world has a Bill of Rights.

D. The Constitution guarantees remedy against violation of Rights.

Which of the following is a violation of Fundamental Rights and why?

A petition by a human rights group drew attention of the court to the condition of starvation and hunger in the country. Over five crore tonnes of food grains were stored in the go downs of the Food Corporation of India. Research shows that a large number of ration cardholders do not know about the quantity of food grains they can purchase from fair price shops. It requested the court to order the government to improve its public distribution system.

A. Which different rights does this case involve? How are these rights interlinked?

B. Should these rights form part of the right to life?

Which of the Fundamental Rights is in your opinion the most important right? Summarise its provisions and give arguments to show why it is most important.

Several reports show that caste groups previously associated with scavenging are forced to continue in this job. Those in positions of authority refuse to give them any other job. Their children are discouraged from pursuing education. Which of their Fundamental Rights are being violated in this instance?

An activist working among the poor says that the poor don’t need Fundamental Rights. What they need are Directive Principles to be made legally binding. Do you agree with this? Give your reasons.