2.7. Equality

The term ‘equality’ means absence of special privileges to any section of the society and the provision of adequate opportunities for all individuals without any discrimination.

The Preamble secures to all citizens equality of status and opportunity. This provision embraces three dimensions of equality – civic, political and economic.

The following Fundamental Rights ensure civic equality:

♤ Equality before Law (Art. 14)

♤ Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth (Art. 15)

♤ Abolition of Untouchability (Art. 17)

♤ Abolition of titles (Art. 18)

There are two provisions in the Constitution, which seek to achieve political equality:

♤ No person is to be declared ineligible for inclusion in electoral rolls on the grounds of religion, race, caste or sex (Art. 325).

♤ Elections to the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies are to be conducted on the basis of adult suffrage (Art. 326).

The following provisions seek to achieve economic equality

♤ The Directive Principles (Art. 39) secure to men and women equal right to an adequate means of livelihood and equal pay for equal work.

♤ Equality of Opportunity in matters of public employment (Article 16)