28 Constitutional provision relating to rights of children

Varalaxmi Moganty

epgp books

 

Table of Contents

  1. Learning Outcomes
  2. Introduction: Preamble of Constitution
  3. Right to Citizenship
  4. Fundamental Rights of the Child
  5. Obligation of State for provisions for Child
  6. Fundamental Duties
  7. Summary& suggestions

Learning Objectives:

  • This chapter helps the reader initially how to read the constitutional provisions and also make aware of the significant Articles in the Constitution to claim as Fundamental rights under the definition of citizenship to any person and where the child is no exception under such definition. It also provides for the obligation of the states for the protection and welfare and certain measures under Directive Principles of the Constitution.
  • By doing this chapter a person will be certainly very well aware that one has to have knowledge of these constitutional provisions primarily and also be aware of certain case laws that guide a person to file a suit in case of violation of rights conferred by constitution or to make negotiation for introduction of new laws by looking into the certain amendments acts for children.

Introduction

A child is a citizen of India due to his birth in the Indian Territory as per Article 5 of the Constitution. We can deduce that child is also a citizen of India and all the provisions of the Constitution apply to child also. While reading the constitutional provisions, one should look into all the aspects that Constitution covered for the comprehensive development of the child. We only look for such provisions where the child is given a special mention. We can say for example Article 24 that protects the child and Prohibits employment of children below the age of 14 years in any factory, mine or in any other hazardous place. But, we should read the thoroughly Indian constitution that provides for many provisions for the child under the citizenship. As for example Article 38 obligates states to provide for a “secure a social order for the promotion of the welfare of the people”. Hence a child is one among the “people” under the Constitution, and a child can claim for his/her a right to welfare through a “secure social order” in that particular state. In this back droplets, us look into the constitutional provisions for the child.

The Constitution of India which came into effect from 26.1.1950 in its preamble itself held:

We, the people of India having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic and to secure to all citizens: Justice, social, economic and political; Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; Equality of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation.

 

True to its nature Indian constitution aimed at these goals through various legislations apart from its constitutional provisions for the rights and duties of citizens. And a child is not an exception for any legislative measures in this way.

Indian constitution is divided into 22 parts. Part II of Constitution provides for citizenship, and Part III of the Constitution deals with Fundamental Rights and Part IV with the Directive Principles of State Policy and Part IVA with Fundamental duties. Now let us look into the legal provisions in these major parts of the Constitution along with other provisions of the Constitution.

Right to Citizenship

Part II of Constitution through Article 5 provides for citizenship for (a) who was born in the territory of India; (b) either of whose parents was born in the territory of India or(c) who has been ordinarily resident in the territory of India for not less than five years immediately preceding such commencement.

Further Article 10 provides for the continuance of the rights of Citizenship. Accordingly, every person who is deemed to be a citizen of India under any of the foregoing provisions of this part shall, subject to the provisions of any law that may be made by Parliament, continue to be a citizen.

Fundamental Rights of the Child:

As said above Part – III of the Constitution provides for the Fundamental Rights of the citizens. The Fundamental rights are inclusive Articles from 14 to Articles 35. Fundamental Rights include:

  • Right to equality
  • Right to freedom;
  • Right against exploitation
  • Right to freedom of religion and
  • Right to cultural and educational rights
  • Right to Constitutional Remedies

Article 12 defines the “State”. It includes the Government and Parliament of India and the Government and the Legislature of each of the States and all local or other authorities within the territory of India or under the control of the Government of India.

Article 14 states that the State shall not deny any person before the law or equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. Further two case laws are provided here:

  • A blind employee can offer to retire and request employment to his dependent. Bhagawan Dass & Co., v. Punjab State Electricity Board, AIR 2008 SC 990=2008(1) SCC 579
  • Employment of young tribals as police officers to fight Naxals is not permitted. In case of Nandini Sundar and others v. State of Chattisgarh, AIR 2011 SC 2839= 201 (7) SCC 547

Article 15 deals with Prohibition of discrimination against any citizen on the grounds, only of, religion, race caste, sex, place of birth or any of them- Provision for equal opportunity on the matter of public employment. Accordingly,

  • The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.
  • No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them, be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to—
    • Access to shops, public restaurants, hotels and places of public entertainment; or
    • The use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads and places of public resort maintained wholly or partly out of State funds or dedicated to the use of the general public.
  • Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for women and children.
  • Nothing in this Article prevents the state from making special provisions for the advancement of socially or educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

Case laws under this study on Article 15(4): Forward class woman marrying the Scheduled case husband is not entitled to Scheduled Caste status. Sobha Hymavathi Devi v. Setti Gangadhara, 2005 AIR SCW 715 + AIR 2005 SC 800=2005 (2) SCC 244

Another case: Scheduled Tribe Woman marrying forward caste man. The children born to them shall be treated as forward class persons subject however to the condition under which they are brought up. If they are brought up as Scheduled Caste Tribes, they take their mother’s caste. Ramesh Bhai Dabhai Naika v. State of Gujarat 2012 (3) SCC 400 = 2012 (1) SCC (L&S)624 = 2012 (2) SCC (cri.). 190.

Article 16 provides for equal opportunities in matters of public employment. Though this article is not directly related to children, children are benefitted due to the parental status of employment in this regard.

Article 17 deals with the Abolition of untouchability. According to this Article 17, untouchability is abolished, and it’s in practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of “untouchability” shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.

4.2. Right to Freedom

Article 19 of the Constitution provides for protection where

 

(1) All citizens shall have the right—

 

(a) to freedom of speech and expression;

 

(b) to assemble peaceably and without arms;

 

(c) to form associations or unions;

 

(d) to move freely throughout the territory of India;

 

(e) to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India;

 

(g) to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.

Case law: Education is an occupation. It is not the same as business or trade. P.A. Inamdar and others v. State of Maharashtra and others, AIR 2005 SC 3226 = 2005 AIR SCW 3923= 2005 (6) SCC 537.

Right to life and personal liberty

Article 21 Provides for this. This is another right under the category of Right to freedom under Part III of Fundamental Rights. Accordingly, no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.

Case laws: Sexual harassment violates human rights. Visakha v. State of Rajasthan, AIR 1997 SC 3011 = 19C Another Case: Child offenders are entitled to special facilities. Sheela Barse v. Union of India, AIR 1986 SC 1773=1986 (3) SCC 596

Children of a woman prisoner shall be allowed to remain with her, and they shall be given all facilities for their maintenance.

Right to education

Article 21 –A states that the State shall provide free and compulsory Education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years in such manner as the State may, by law, determine. This came after 86th amendment Act, 2002, dt, 12-12-2002 w.e.f. 1-4-2010. Some case laws:

Differential fee structure between Kendriya Vidyalaya and project schools is justified. P. Ravindran V. Union of India &Ors. AIR, 2011 SC 3361 = 2011 (5) SCC 1 = 2011 (2) SCC (cri.)504

Another case: In case of shifting a school from one village to another, the Government shall establish another school at the village of which the school is shifted. Ng. Komon v. State of Manipur and others, AIR 2010 Gau.102/.

4.3 Right against Exploitation

 

As per Article 23 (1), Traffic in human beings and begar and other similar forms of forced labour are prohibited, and any contravention of this provision shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.

Article 24 deals with Prohibition of employment of children below the age of 14 years in any factory, mine or in any other hazardous place- Article 24.

4.4. Right to freedom of Religion

Article 25 deals with Freedom of Conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion subject to public order and morality and health to other provisions all are equally treated for this provision.

Article 28 deals with freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions. Article 28(1) states that no religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution which wholly maintained out of state funds. But (2) of the Article state clause.

(1) of this Article is not applicable when the educational institution was administered by State but has been established under any endowment or trust. Clause (3) makes provision for such attendance when the person is minor; his guardian has given consent thereto.

4.5. Cultural and Educational Rights

Article29 (1) provides for protection of interests of minorities. Article 29(i) of the part III that deals fundamental rights thus states that any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same (For example rights of the tribal people in the development/industrial projects; see below rights in question against Vedanta project) .

Article 29(2) states that no citizen shall be denied admission into any educational institution maintained by the State or receiving aid out of state funds on grounds only of religion, race, caste, language or any of them.

Article30 provides for Rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions. Tribes and other Weaker Sections. As per Article 30(1) all minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

4.6. Right to Constitutional Remedies:

The Part III of the constitution of fundamental rights also provides certain articles that stand for the certain law (from Article 31-A to 31D) and right to constitutional remedies through Articles 32-35.

Article 32 of the Indian Constitution provides for remedies for the enforcement of rights conferred by this Part on Fundamental Rights. Article 32(1) (1) provides for the right to move the Supreme Court by appropriate proceedings for the enforcement of the rights conferred by this part.

Case law: Police attack on sleeping people condemned by the Supreme Court. Ramlila Maidan incident, In re, 2012 (5) SCC 1 = 2012 Cr LJ 3516 = 2002 (2) SCC (Cri.) 241.

5. Obligation of State for provisions for Child

Part-IV of the Constitution that provides for the Directive Principles of State Policy is inclusive of certain special provisions for children and certain other provisions along with other.

Right to welfare where the state is obligated to secure social order for the promotion of welfare of the people is provided through Article 38(1). This reads that state shall strive to promote the welfare of the people to strive to promote by securing and protecting effectively as it may a social order in which justice, social, economic and political, shall inform all the institutions of the national life. Article 38 (2) insist state shall strive to minimize the inequalities in income and endeavour facilities and opportunities, not only among individuals but also amongst groups of people residing in different areas engaged in different vocations.

Article 39 deals with certain principles of policy to be followed by the State in particular: The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing—

  • That the citizens, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood;
  • That the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to subserve the common good;
  • That the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common detriment;
  • That there is equal pay for equal work for both men and women
  • That the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children are not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength;
  • That children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment.(after 42nd amendment act, 1976, sec. 7 with effect from 3-1-1977 Case law: 1.The object of this Article is the creation of welfare State. Kesavananda Bharathi v. State of Kerala, AIR 1973 SC 1461=1973 (4) SCC

Case law 2. Foreign adoptions are recommended by the Supreme Court. Prime Consideration is the welfare of the child. Lakshmikant Pandey v. Union of India, AIR 1984 SC 469.

Case law 3. Compensation for the death of a child died in a motor accident outside the school while she was proceeding to quench a thirst due to non-availability of water in the school is maintainable. All India Lawyers Union (Delhi-Unit) v. Union of India and others. AIR 1999 Del. 120.

Article 39A provides for equal justice and legal aid and to ensure opportunities for securing justice that are not denied to any citizen.

Article 41 provides for the right to work, education and public assistance. This Article obligates the state to provide for within the limits of economic capacity and development to make effective provisions for securing the right to work, to education, and to public assistance in cases of unemployment and old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want.

Obligation the state to provide for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief is found in the Article 42.

There is a case law which provides for maternity benefit for casual employees also: Municipal corporation of Delhi v. Female Workers (Muster Roll) AIR 2000 SC 1274 = 2000(3) SCC 224

Article 43 holds that State shall endeavour to secure a living wage; conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life and full enjoyment of leisure and social and cultural opportunities by suitable legislation or economic organization to all workers. These workers are agricultural; industrial workers or otherwise according to this Article 43. Further, this Article in this reference obligates a State to promote cottage industries on an individual co-operative basis in rural areas. Article 44 insists on Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India.

Article 45 provides for early childhood care and education to children below the age of six years. This provision is inserted due to 86th Amendment Act 2002 dated 12-12-2002 with effect from 1-4-2010.

Article 46 deals with Promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Tribes and other weaker Section. Article 46 states that Right to nutrition and standard of living is another right where the state is obligated to improve public health.

Article 47 deals with the obligation of the state to regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people, raise of the nutritional level. For the Article 47 reads, “the state shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public Health as among its primary duties and, in particular the state shall endeavor to bring about prohibition of consumption, except for medical purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health”.

Fundamental Duties:

Part IVA prescribes fundamental duties of citizens. In this, there is a provision for parental responsibility to provide opportunities for education

Article 51-A reads:

It shall be the duty of every citizen of India.

  • To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and its and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;
  • 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 calling upon to do so;
  • To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;
  • To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
  • To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures;
  • To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
  • To safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
  • To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement;
  • Who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years1?

Summary

One has to appreciate the highly democratic nature of Indian constitution and its flexibility and scope for expansions of rights in general and child in particular. It is through many rights vested as Fundamental rights. And, we also may appreciate the various ways it obligates its states to provide for child welfare, family welfare which in turn helps for child development; and protection of the child in dangerous situations anywhere in factory or school etc., the child is provided with many rights. Further, it is through its democratic and socialistic and flexible nature it has a scope for Public Interest Litigation where the public can speak and file a suit on behalf of a child and suggest for even an introduction of new laws and amendment provisions for the child. That is how Right to education became a fundamental right; for free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years through a lot of conscious efforts and consensus of the public. Yet by looking at the still existing worst forms of child labour and many issues due to child’s living in poor socio and economic conditions, there is still need to look for the welfare and protection of children through law and public action.

This chapter dealt is with elaborate provisions of the child in the constitution. In fact rights of citizens need to be considered as rights of a child too. Hence it is to be understood of the various provisions bestowed on the child as a citizen of India under Fundamental rights. For example, Article 38 that provides for secure social order and promotion of welfare; Article 41 that provides for the right to work, education and public assistance and Article 42 that insists on the states for the provision of humane conditions of work and maternity benefit are indirectly meant for the welfare and protection of children. In a family, if the members of the family are employed, and mother is healthy the child will obviously have a healthy life. Hence one must understand the provisions for citizen in general and child in particular in relation to other provisions but not in isolation. Thus this study becomes fruitful and makes the persons to introspect on their role for improvement of a child who needs support not alone from parents but everybody in the civil society and state.

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Reference

  • N. K. Acharya (2014, 5th Edition). The Constitution of India, Hyderabad: Asia Law House.
  • Madabhushi Sridhar (nd.) Discussion Paper on Legal Provisions Regarding Age of Child To protect the Rights of Children; NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
  • PIL pdf http://www.mcrg.ac.in/PP47.pdf
  • Savitha Bhakry (2006), Children in India and their rights, New Delhi: National Human Rights Commission
  • Chinmayee Satpathy, Child Welfare Policies and Programmes in India, in Yojana November, 2012 pp.23-27
  • India.gov.in. national portal of, Constitution of India indiahttps://india.gov.in/sites/upload_files/npi/files/coi_part_full.pdf