Welcome dear students! Today we are going to learn about Human Rights, Fundamental Rights and Duties from Class 6 Social_Science.
In this lesson, we will understand the meaning and importance of human rights, differentiate between natural and fundamental rights, and become aware of child rights. We will also comprehend the six fundamental rights given to citizens of India in our constitution, learn the eleven fundamental duties, and discover how to protect and regain our rights when they are denied.
Let us begin by asking, what are rights? A right means an authority that a citizen is given. It may be a natural right, such as the right to live or the right to life protection. Or it could be a legitimate right, such as the right to equality or the right to education.
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Now, let us understand human rights. Every human being is naturally endowed with certain rights by birth. No one can be excluded from these rights, regardless of race, caste, language, religion, gender, or any other quality. These rights are embedded in our lives and given universal recognition.
The concept of human rights has deep roots. All world philosophies proclaim the superiority of man. As the great Kannada poet Sarvagnya propagated, if you treat your neighbour as yourself, that itself is heaven. In Kannada, this is known as Thannante parara bagedode kailasa binnanavakku. As human progress led to new inventions, it also led to selfishness. To counter this, the Human Rights Declaration emerged, aspiring to provide freedom, equality, and a life free from discrimination. According to Harold J Laski, human rights are legal, humane, and social conditions.
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History shows that conflicts between races and religions have killed many. In the 20th century, two world wars burnt millions of people to ashes. To overcome such inhuman acts and remove inequality, the United Nations was established. On December 10, 1948, the UN made the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to create opportunities for people worldwide to live on humanitarian grounds, aiming to eliminate conflict, violence, and discrimination.
Why are human rights important? First, they supplement the all-round development of the individual. Second, they lay the foundation for a dignified life. Third, they inspire the building of a humane and fair society. Fourth, they bridge a harmonious relationship between the individual and the State. Fifth, they have become the essence of global living.
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Child rights are a vital part of human rights. Every child naturally benefits from certain facilities. Children have the right to spend their childhood with their parents, and to receive physical protection, food, education, and health facilities. They also hold civil rights not based on race, sex, colour, religion, or disability. The Constitution of India provides free and compulsory education to children below the age of fourteen. Denying education or engaging a child in labour violates child rights. Whether paid or unpaid, it is considered child labour. To stop this, the Child Labour Prohibition Act of 1986 was enforced. Violators face imprisonment from 3 months to 1 year, a penalty, or both.
How do we protect these rights? The Human Rights Commission functions from the local to the international level. A helpline, 1098, protects child rights. Additionally, in 2012, the United Nations declared that all living beings need a good, sustainable environment. Protecting a good environment, along with health, housing, food, water, and sanitation, is also the protection of human rights. The UN insists that implementing this is a key responsibility of all countries.
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Now, let us turn to Fundamental Rights. These are rights enshrined and protected in the Constitution. They are constitutional rights given to citizens, and no one can violate them. Individual freedom is essential for national development, so the Constitution grants six fundamental rights. They are: one, Right to equality; two, Right to freedom; three, Right against exploitation; four, Right to freedom of religion; five, Cultural and educational rights; and six, Right to constitutional remedy.
First is the Right to equality. All are equal before the law, and no one is above it. The State must not discriminate based on religion, caste, gender, or place of birth. There should be no restrictions on using hotels, shops, public wells, lakes, roads, or recreational places. All citizens can join government service, and no one can be barred from public places of worship. To respect gender minorities, the Government of India enacted the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act, 2019, and the Government of Karnataka implemented the State Policy on Transgender 2017.
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Second is the Right to freedom. The Constitution guarantees: one, freedom of speech and expression; two, freedom to assemble peacefully without arms; three, freedom to form associations; four, freedom to move throughout India; five, freedom to reside in any part of India; and six, freedom to practice any profession, trade, industry, or service. Let us pause for an activity. Organize a discussion and collect opinions on the importance of freedom of speech in a democratic system. However, freedom cannot be exercised arbitrarily. The State can impose reasonable restrictions. For example, one cannot use free speech to disrespect another's dignity.
Third is the Right against exploitation. This protects the poor, women, children, and the vulnerable. The Central and State governments have enacted laws to prohibit bonded labour, child labour in hazardous work like mining, beedi making, and firecracker making, and the trafficking of women and children. Children must receive compulsory education till age fourteen.
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Fourth is the Right to freedom of religion. Citizens of India have the complete freedom to accept and practice a religion they choose. Everyone has the right to practice their religion peacefully, provided it does not disturb public peace and order, or compromise health and hygiene. The Constitution clearly states that religious conversion must never be done through coercion, fraud, or inducements.
Fifth are Cultural and educational rights. The main purpose of this right is to protect the interests of religious and linguistic minorities. People have the right to preserve and protect their own language, script, and culture. Furthermore, minorities have the right to establish and manage their own educational institutions, though these institutions must still abide by the rules set by the State.
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Sixth is the Right to constitutional remedy. This is a crucial right because it acts as the protector of all other fundamental rights. If a citizen's fundamental rights are violated, they can directly file a complaint in court. The affected person can approach either the High Court or the Supreme Court for immediate remedy. The petitions filed before these courts specifically regarding fundamental rights violations are officially called Writ Petitions.
Now, let us learn about Fundamental Duties. Rights and duties are like two faces of the same coin. A duty is the responsibility a person performs for their country. The nation prospers when citizens perform duties with self-motivation. The Constitution lists eleven Fundamental Duties: One, to respect the Constitution, National Flag, and National Anthem. Two, to follow the lofty ideals of the freedom movement. Three, to protect the unity and diversity of India. Four, to advance for the defence of the country. Five, to develop the feeling of brotherhood among Indians. Six, to protect our rich cultural heritage and historical monuments. Seven, to preserve and develop the natural environment. Eight, to develop a scientific attitude and rationality. Nine, to protect public property and renounce violence. Ten, to strive for the progress of the country by becoming proficient in individual and collective activities. Eleven, parents or guardians must allow children between 6 to 14 years of age to get an education.
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If a citizen does not perform these duties, the government cannot challenge it in court. However, all citizens should perform them voluntarily for the nation's progress. Let us do another activity. Organize a seminar on the role of students today in environmental protection and collect opinions.
Now, let us practice with the exercises. Fill in the blanks: One, Right means an authority. Two, There are six fundamental rights. Three, The Child Labour Prohibition Act was enforced in the year 1986. Four, The right that provides opportunity to protect one's language and culture is Cultural and educational rights.
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Answer the following questions: Five, What are human rights? They are rights every human is naturally endowed with by birth, excluding no one based on race, caste, language, religion, or gender. They are embedded in our lives and recognized universally. Six, List out child rights. They include spending childhood with parents, physical protection, food, education, health facilities, civil rights without discrimination, free compulsory education below age fourteen, and protection from child labour. Seven, What are Fundamental Rights? Name them. They are constitutional rights given to citizens that cannot be violated. They are: Right to equality, Right to freedom, Right against exploitation, Right to freedom of religion, Cultural and educational rights, and Right to constitutional remedy. Eight, Why should we fulfil fundamental duties voluntarily? Because rights and duties are two sides of the same coin. Performing duties with self-motivation helps the country prosper, even though courts cannot legally enforce them.
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Nine, What is right to equality? It means all are equal before the law with equal protection, without discrimination based on religion, caste, gender, or birth. It ensures access to public places, government jobs, and places of worship. Ten, How does social and economic exploitation take place? Give examples. It happens when vulnerable groups are taken advantage of. Examples include bonded labour, children in hazardous work like mining or firecracker making, and trafficking of women and children. Eleven, State any three fundamental duties. Examples include respecting the Constitution and National Flag, protecting the unity and diversity of India, and preserving the natural environment.
Discuss in groups: Twelve, Importance of Fundamental Rights. They guarantee individual freedom essential for national development, ensure equality, protect against exploitation, allow freedom of speech and religion, protect minority cultures, and provide legal remedies. Thirteen, Duties to be performed by students in school premises. Students should respect teachers and peers, keep the campus clean, protect school property, follow rules, participate in activities, promote brotherhood, and develop a scientific attitude.
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Fourteen, Importance of Human rights. They supplement all-round development, lay the foundation for a dignified life, inspire a fair society, harmonize individual-State relations, and form the essence of global living. Fifteen, Importance of child rights. They ensure safe upbringing with parents, provide physical protection, food, education, and health, and shield children from discrimination and labour until age fourteen.
Finally, complete these activities. Activity one: Give a short speech on fundamental rights and fundamental duties. Activity two: Narrate incidents of non-observance of fundamental duties, such as throwing waste in public lakes, stealing stones from ancient forts, or not voting.
Thank you for listening! Keep revising and practicing. Goodbye! [CHAPTER_COMPLETE]