Magna Carta
Topic: Fundamental Rights and Constitutional Remedies · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Magna Carta is an English charter of 1215 that limited the king's power. It is seen as the first step towards later bills of rights. In India, Part III of the Constitution, which lists the fundamental rights, is often called the "Magna Carta of India". The name is used because Part III limits the power of the State in the same way.
Example
The English Bill of Rights (1689), the US Bill of Rights (1791) and the UDHR (1948) all follow the idea the Magna Carta began: rulers must respect the rights of the people. India's Part III, in force from 1950, belongs to this line.
Related concepts
- Fundamental rights
- Bill of rights
- Legal rights
- Constitution of South Africa
- Constitutional rights outside Part III
- Restriction of rights of armed forces
- Martial law
- Article 35
- Suspension of fundamental rights during emergency