Article 21
Explanation
Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees the Protection of Life and Personal Liberty. The judiciary has adopted a liberal and expansive interpretation of this Article, establishing that the "Right to Life" encompasses more than mere animal existence; it includes the right to live with human dignity and the basic necessities required to sustain life.Judicial Interpretation:
- The Supreme Court, most notably in the case of People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) v. Union of India (2001) (often referred to as the "Right to Food case"), interpreted the Right to Food as an intrinsic part of the Fundamental Right to Life under Article 21.
- The Court held that the state has a constitutional obligation to provide food security, as the inability to access food threatens the very existence of life guaranteed by the Constitution.
Analysis of Other Options:
- Article 14: Deals with Equality before the Law and Equal Protection of the Laws. It does not directly encompass the Right to Food.
- Article 19: Guarantees protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession.
- Article 32: Provides the Right to Constitutional Remedies, empowering citizens to approach the Supreme Court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights, but it is not the source of the substantive Right to Food itself.
Key Takeaway: The Right to Food is an implied fundamental right derived from the Right to Life and Personal Liberty under Article 21, as interpreted by the Supreme Court to ensure human dignity.