Page 115 - SST Class 04

India : Rights

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and Duties

Right, Duties and I

Rights and duties are two sides of the same coin. Your right is somebody’s duty and
somebody’s right is your duty. For example, you have a right to walk on the road, and it is
others’ duty not to obstruct it. Similarly, you are duty bound not to obstruct the road so
that others can have their right of way. Thus, rights and duties go together.

Our Rights

We live in a democracy. The Constitution of India is our supreme law. It has given us
some basic rights called Fundamental Rights . Nobody has authority to violate these
rights. We can go to the court of law to protect our Fundamental Rights.
We have the following Fundamental Rights :

1. Right to Equality : A citizen of India is equal before the law to all others whatever
his religion, caste, sex or place of birth. For example, you have right to education, so
nobody can stop you from coming to school.

2. Right to Freedom : All people are free to express themselves, form association, live
at any place or practise any occupation, trade or business.

3. Right to Freedom of Religion : All citizens can follow any religion of their choice.
Nobody can stop you from practising your religion.

4. Right against Exploitation : Nobody has the right to exploit any citizen of India.
Nobody can employ a child below 14 years of age in any hazardous occupation.
5. Cultural and Educational Rights : All people can speak their respective languages
and follow their cultures and religions; but they must live peacefully with others.

6. Right to Constitutional Remedy : A person can go to the court of law if any of his
Fundamental Rights is violated by a person or department.

Our Duties

The Constitution of India assigns us some duties also, called Fundamental Duties . We
must follow them. These are :

India : Rights and Duties 115