Correct Option
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described the Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32) as the "heart and soul" of the Constitution. This designation highlights its critical importance in safeguarding and enforcing the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution. Article 32 empowers individuals to directly approach the Supreme Court for the enforcement of their Fundamental Rights in case of their violation. The Supreme Court, under this article, is authorized to issue various writs, including Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto, to ensure justice. This right makes other Fundamental Rights meaningful and enforceable, thereby upholding the rule of law and constitutionalism.
Incorrect Options
- Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25-28) is a fundamental right that guarantees religious liberty and freedom of conscience. While essential for a secular state, it was not the specific right Dr. Ambedkar referred to as the "heart and soul."
- Right to Property was originally a Fundamental Right under Article 31. However, it was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights by the 44th Amendment Act, 1978, and is now a legal right under Article 300A.
- Right to Equality (Articles 14-18) is a foundational principle of the Indian Constitution, ensuring equality before the law and equal protection of laws, and prohibiting discrimination. Despite its fundamental nature, it was not the right specifically identified by Dr. Ambedkar with the phrase "heart and soul."