Religion, culture and remedies

The Right to Freedom of Religion lets every person choose, practise and share their religion freely.

Just as important, it makes sure nobody is forced to follow, spread or pay for a particular religion.

Government-run or government-aided schools may not promote any one religion. The school stays neutral, so every faith is treated with equal respect.

Cultural and Educational Rights protect India's variety:

• communities can keep their own language, script and traditions;
• no student can be refused admission to a government institution because of religion, caste, race or language;
• religious and linguistic minorities may set up and run their own schools.

The chapter then raises an honest difficulty. The Constitution protects minority rights, and it also stands for equality and no discrimination. At times these two aims can seem to clash. Some people feel minority protections may go against secularism.

The chapter does not settle this. It shows you a real debate.

Last comes the Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32): citizens may go to the Supreme Court if their Fundamental Rights are broken. Think of it as the referee you can call when the rules of the game are broken.

Dr B.R. Ambedkar called this the most important article, "an article without which this Constitution would be a nullity … the very soul of the Constitution and the very heart of it".

Useful articles to know:

• Article 14: equality before the law;
• Article 15: no discrimination;
• Article 17: untouchability abolished;
• Article 19: freedom of speech;
• Article 21: life and personal liberty;
• Article 21A: free education for children aged 6–14;
• Articles 23–24: against trafficking and child labour;
• Article 32: the right to go to the courts.