The Constitution of
India provides for a single citizenship for the whole of
India. Every person who was at the commencement of the
Constitution (26 January 1950) domiciled in the territory of
India and :
(a) who was born in India; or
(b) either of whose parents was born in India; or
(c) who has been ordinarily resident in India for not less
than five years became a citizen of India.
The Citizenship Act, 1955, deals with matters relating to
acquisition, determination and termination of Indian
citizenship after the commencement of the Constitution.
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Right to Equality – The right to equality
includes equality before law, prohibition of
discrimination
on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth
and equality of opportunity in matters of employment and
abolition of untouchability.
-
Right to Freedom – The right to freedom
includes freedom of speech and expression; right to
assemble peacefully and without arms, formation,
association or union; free movement throughout the
territory of India; residence and the right to practise
any profession or occupation; control and disposal of
property.
-
Right Against
Exploitation – The
right against exploitation prohibits all forms of forced
labour, child labour and traffic in human beings.
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Right to Freedom of
Religion –
The right to freedom of religion contains religious
freedom to all. All persons are entitled to freedom of
conscience and the right to profess, practise and
propagate religion freely.
-
Cultural and Educational
Rights – It includes
right of any section of the citizens to conserve their
culture, language
or script and right of minorities to establish and
administer educational institutions of their choice.
-
Right to Constitutional Remedies – This
right guarantees
the right to constitutional remedies to the citizens for
enforcement
of their Fundamental Rights.
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Right to Compulsory and free
Education – The
right to compulsory and free education for all the
children of 6 to
14 years age. It is the fundamental duty of parents and
guardians
to provide opportunities for education to their children
in the 6 to 14 age group.
Duties of a citizen of India were not included in the
original constitution.
These have been added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. There
are ten
Fundamental Duties :
-
To abide by the Constitution and respect
its ideals
and Institutions, the National Flag and the National
Anthem;
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To cherish and follow the noble ideals
which inspired
our national struggle for freedom;
-
To uphold and protect the
sovereignty,
unity and integrity
of India;
-
To defend the country and render national
service when
called upon to do so;
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To promote harmony and the spirit of common
brotherhood
amongst all the people of India transcending religious,
linguistic
and regional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory
to the
dignity of women;
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To value and preserve the rich heritage of
our composite
culture;
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To protect and improve the natural
environment
including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have
compassion for living creatures;
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To develop the scientific temper, humanism
and the
spirit of inquiry and reform;
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To safeguard public property and to abjure
violence;
and
-
To strive towards excellence in all spheres
of individual
and collective activity so that the nation constantly
rises to higher
level of endeavour and achievement.
-
To provide opportunities for education to
their children
in the 6 to 14 age group.
