The correct option is (a) 1, 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
Part III of the Constitution of India (Articles 12 to 35) guarantees six specific categories of Fundamental Rights. These rights are justiciable and are protected against state action. Rights not included in this specific part, even if mentioned elsewhere in the Constitution, are not classified as Fundamental Rights.Analysis of the Rights:
- 1. Right to Equality (Correct): This is explicitly listed as a Fundamental Right covering Articles 14 to 18. It includes equality before the law, prohibition of discrimination, equality of opportunity in public employment, abolition of untouchability, and abolition of titles.
- 2. Right to Freedom (Correct): This is a distinct category of Fundamental Rights covering Articles 19 to 22. It encompasses freedom of speech and expression, protection in respect of conviction for offences, protection of life and personal liberty, and protection against arrest and detention.
- 3. Right against Exploitation (Correct): This is explicitly listed under Articles 23 and 24. It prohibits traffic in human beings, forced labour (begar), and the employment of children in factories or mines.
- 4. Right to Vote (Incorrect): The Right to Vote is not a Fundamental Right under Part III. It is a Constitutional Right derived from Article 326, which provides for universal adult suffrage. It is a legal right shaped by the Representation of the People Act, 1951, but it does not carry the specific enforceability under Article 32 that Fundamental Rights possess.
Key Takeaway: The six categories of Fundamental Rights are Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Right to Constitutional Remedies. Rights such as the Right to Vote or Right to Property are Constitutional or Legal rights, not Fundamental Rights.