Right to live with human dignity

Polity & Governance glossary

Topic: Fundamental Rights and Constitutional Remedies · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "Rights in the Indian Constitution"

Meaning

The right to live with human dignity means the right to live a life fit for a human being, not just to stay alive. The Supreme Court read it into Article 21 in Francis Coralie Mullin (1981). The Court said "life" means more than "animal existence". It includes:

  • basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter;
  • freedom from exploitation.

Many later rights, such as livelihood, shelter, health and privacy, grew from this idea.

Example

In Francis Coralie Mullin (1981), a prisoner held under preventive detention was given very limited meetings with her lawyer and family. The Court held that even a detained person keeps the right to live with dignity, including meeting family and a lawyer.

Don't confuse with

  • Equality before law (Art. 14): this means everyone is treated equally by the law. The right to dignity under Art. 21 is about the quality of life every person is owed.

Related concepts

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