Article 15 comes under Part III of the Constitution of India. This part includes information about the fundamental rights of the Indian citizens. Article 15 was introduced to further the Right to Equality which is one of the fundamental rights of the citizens of our country.
As per Article 15, the State as well as its citizens cannot discriminate based on a person’s caste, sex, religion, race or place of birth. The article further says that the State has the right to make special provisions to uplift the weaker section of the society.
Here are essay on Article 15 of Indian Constitution of varying lengths to help you with the topic in your exams.
After reading these Article 15 Essay, you will know the importance of Article 15 of the Indian Constitution, why was it introduced in the Constitution, different laws introduced by the Government to implement Article 15, Initiatives taken by the government to spread public awareness about Article 15 etc.
These essays will help you a lot during your school and college competitions like essay writing, debate, speeches etc.
Article 15 of the Indian Constitution bars discrimination on the basis of a person’s caste, race, religion, sex or place of birth. As per this article neither the State nor its citizens can discriminate based on the aforementioned five factors as this is essential for building a better society where people enjoy equal rights.
Practicing discrimination based on these five factors is a punishable offence under the Indian law. Many organizations and institutions in the country have laws that discourage people from practicing such discrimination.
Article 15 also allows the State to create some special provisions that uplift the position of women, children, and people belonging to the scheduled caste, scheduled tribes and socially and economically backward classes.
India is a democratic country. Thus, people have the right to express their opinion and question the authority in a lawful manner; however, they need to abide by the set constitutional law until the case is closed in their favour.
Various clauses of Article 15 have been challenged by people and certain changes have been made based on the same in the past. Champakam Dorairajan vs. the State of Madras was one such case. Sometimes, such cases change the laws for good and at other times, the importance of the existing laws is emphasized. Either ways, it is good for the state as well as the citizens.
Introduction
Article 15 of the Indian Constitution bars the State as well as its citizens from discriminating on the basis of caste, sex, race, religion or place of birth; however, it allows favourable distinction. As per the article, special provisions can be made for women and children.
The article does not even stop the State from making and implementing special provisions for the upliftment of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other socially and economically backward classes.
Why was Article 15 of the Indian Constitution Introduced?
The inclusion of this article in the Indian Constitution was necessary because a lot of discrimination was going on in the country in the name of caste, religion, race, sex and place of birth since centuries.
Caste system was one of the major social evils prevalent in our society. The way one was treated was mainly based on the caste he belonged to. For instance, the Brahmins were considered upper class people. They were respected by everyone. They got the best jobs in the society and enjoyed a good lifestyle.
On the other hand, the Shudhras were considered inferior so much so that they were called the untouchables. People from the other castes looked down upon them. They were not allowed to enter temples, restaurants and other public places. They were involved in menial tasks such as cleaning and sweeping.
Similarly, the condition of women in the society was very low in the pre-independence era. They were mostly confined to the household tasks and not allowed to go out and work. Girls were not even sent to school. Discrimination was also done based on other mentioned factors, that is, the place of birth, religion and race. It was important to stop such discrimination.
Article 15 also allows for special provisions for the weaker section of the society in order to strengthen their position in the society.
Conclusion
Thus, the inclusion of Article 15 was important so as to give a fair chance to everyone so that they can grow and develop the right way. Article hopes to completely eliminate caste, gender and origin based discrimination one day, and making India a country where all citizens are treated equally in terms of opportunities and fundamental rights.
Introduction
The Indian Constitution came into effect on 26th January 1950. It includes various Articles that serve as a guiding light for the State and its citizens. Article 15 of the Indian Constitution has been added to stop the heinous practice of discrimination based on irrational reasons. The article prohibits discrimination on the grounds of a person’s caste race, religion, sex or place of birth. Article 15 has been divided into 5 sub articles.
Here is a look at the various sub-articles of Article 15:
Article 15 (1)
The State cannot discriminate against any citizen only on the basis of their race, religion, sex, caste or place or birth.
Article 15 (2)
The citizens of India are also prohibited from making any discrimination against other citizens only on the basis of their race, religion, sex, caste or place or birth. On the basis of these grounds, no citizen shall be subject to any restriction or condition with regard to:
Article 15 (3)
The State has the right to make special provisions for women and children. Nothing in this article stops the State from doing so.
Article 15 (4)
The State has the right to make special provisions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other socially and educationally backward classes. This article does not bar the State from making such provisions.
Article 15 (5)
This sub article was added later. It was a result of an amendment made in the article in the year 2018. It was after the government declared 10% reservation for the socially and economically weaker sections of the society in colleges and universities.
As per this clause, nothing in this article can bar the State from making special provisions pertaining to admission in educational institutions (be it private, government or government aided) for the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes.
Conclusion
Article 15 of the Indian Constitution has very clearly mentioned that discrimination based on caste, race, religion, sex or place of birth shall not be tolerated. However, favourable discrimination based on certain other aspects can be done for the upliftment of the weaker sections of the society. The state as well as the citizens of India must adhere to the instructions shared in Article 15. Failing to do so can result in strict action against them.
Introduction
Article 15 of the Indian Constitution has been made to prohibit discrimination made on unreasonable grounds such as caste, religion, race, sex and place of birth. The State and its citizens cannot make discrimination based on these five grounds. The state and its citizens may be subject to serious consequences if found guilty of practicing discrimination.
Government Acts to Implement Article 15
The government has come up with special schemes and acts to implement Article 15 of the Indian constitution in the country. These schemes aim to bar discrimination and uplift the backward and weaker sections of the society. Here is a look at some of these schemes:
As per this act, no one from the SC and ST community shall be discriminated. Also, no violence would be undertaken on them just because they are from this community.
Article 15 encourages favourable distinction to empower the weaker section of the society and ensure equality in the society. Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 was established to uplift and encourage people with physical and mental disabilities. It brought about special provisions for these people to improve their status in the society.
This act has especially been created to uplift the status of women in the Indian society. As per this act, discrimination against women that they had limited ownership of property was abolished. A uniform system of inheritance and succession was defined by way of this act.
After its enforcement, the Hindu women were given complete power to deal with the property they possessed. They got the right to keep it, dispose it or use it in any lawful manner. Males already enjoyed this privilege in our society.
Women often face sexual harassment at workplaces and are not even allowed to raise their voice against this injustice. Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 was implemented to empower women and ensure a safer work environment for them.
This act encourages women to stand up against sexual harassment at workplace. They can very well go ahead and report such cases. Quick and stringent actions are taken against the perpetrators.
Likewise, many other acts have been put in place for the betterment of the weaker section. Several others have been proposed and may be implemented soon.
Consequences of Going against Article 15 of the Indian Constitution
If a person does not comply with the provisions mentioned in Article 15, he is liable for punishment as per the Indian law. The punishment is given based on the severity of the situation. For instance, a person who discriminates against people belonging to the Schedule Caste or Schedule Tribes can face imprisonment along with a considerable amount of fine.
Conclusion
Certain discriminations going on in the society since centuries are seriously unjust and even inhuman. These must be stopped immediately. The introduction of Article 15 in the Indian constitution has brought such discriminatory practices down; however, there is still a long way to go.
Introduction
Article 15 was introduced to diminish unfair discrimination that had been prevalent in the Indian society since centuries. The article is aimed at promoting a society where people enjoy equal rights and benefits and do not face discrimination on the grounds of sex, caste, religion, race or place of birth.
In order to promote equality, it is not only important to do away with the unjustified discriminatory practices but also make some special provisions to uplift the weaker and backward sections of the society. Article 15 allows the creation and implementation of such special provisions. It has given way to many acts and provisions to benefit these sections.
Initiatives to Educate People about Article 15
Going against Article 15 and practicing discrimination prohibited in it calls for stringent punishment under the Indian law. This is the reason why people must be made aware about what Article 15 states. Only when people know about it, will they take precaution and avoid indulging in such a practice. The government should take initiatives to make the general public aware about Article 15 as well as the consequences of going against it. Some possible initiatives to further this agenda can be as follows:
It is essential to make the citizens aware about their rights, duties and the lawful practices that should be followed from an early age itself. The best way to do so is by acquainting them with the same in the school. Special classes should be held every few months to make the students aware about Article 15. Its importance should be stressed upon during such classes. The consequences of going against the same must also be discussed to sensitize the issue.
Children often do what they see at home and in the society. Since this discriminatory practice is still present in the society at various levels, it is common for children to learn and imbibe it.
Any student seen practicing discrimination based on the aforementioned five grounds in school must be punished. For instance, if a boy is seen bullying a girl or if students are caught mistreating their fellow students who belong to lower caste then they must be reprimanded then and there.
Just like schools, awareness programs to provide information about Article 15 must be conducted at workplaces as well. Employees must be given complete information about what this article is all about and why it is important to adhere to it.
The consequences of going against this constitutional law should also be explained in detail. Organizations must also formulate rules to punish anyone going against Article 15. This is a good way to discourage unjust discrimination.
In villages and backward areas, people are still gripped by the evil caste system. Besides, women are also being treated badly and haven’t attained an equal status as men. Discrimination on the basis of religion, race and place of birth is also quite common in such areas. The government must make special initiative to spread awareness about Article 15 in these areas. This will create fear among those practicing discrimination and empower those who have been a victim of the same.
Recently, a Bollywood movie named Article 15 was released. The movie starring actor, Ayushmaan Khurana in the lead role showed how people are still discriminating based on caste, race, sex, religion and place of birth. It aimed to make people aware about the provisions of Article 15 and also to encourage them to raise voice against anyone practicing the same.
Bollywood is a great means to reach out to the general public. The movie strongly condemned unfair discrimination and inspired people to stop indulging in the same as well as accepting this behaviour.
Conclusion
Article 15 has been included in the Indian Constitution to create a better society. The government must take special initiatives to ensure it is implemented well. Article 15 holds the basic fundamental right of a democracy that is Right to equality. If the Right to Equality is infringed upon, then the whole concept of democracy gets lost.
Related Information:
Essay on Article 370 of Indian Constitution
Essay on Article 35A of Indian Constitution