Rights and human rights in the modern world: The experience of working the bill of rights in the Indian constitution

Abstract

Part III of the Indian Constitution guarantees certain fundamental rights. It was not incorporated as a popular concession to international sentiment and thinking on human rights in vogue after the conclusion of the World War II. The demand for constitutional guarantees of human rights for Indians was made as far back as 1895 in the Constitution of India Bill, popularly called the Swaraj Bill. It was inspired by Lokmanya Tilak, one of the greatest freedom fighters and architects of India’s independence. This Bill envisaged for India a Constitution guaranteeing to every one of its citizens freedom of expression, inviolability of one’s house, right to property, equality before the law, equal opportunity of admission to public offices, right to present claims, petitions, and complaints and right to life and personal liberty.