2.4. Right to Equality

Right to equality tries to do away with such and other discriminations. It provides for equal access to public places like shops, hotels, places of entertainment, wells, bathing ghats and places of worship. There cannot be any discrimination in this access on the grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. It also prohibits any discrimination in public employment on any of the above mentioned basis. This right is very important because our society did not practice equal access in the past.

The Right to Equality is a fundamental right that aims to eliminate discrimination in society. It ensures that all individuals have equal access to public spaces and services, whether they are shops, hotels, or places of worship, regardless of their background. This means that no one should be treated unfairly because of their religion, race, caste, sex, or where they come from. Additionally, it guarantees that jobs in the public sector are awarded based on merit and not discriminatory factors.

Imagine a village where a shopkeeper only serves people from certain castes with nice cups while giving others, like a Dalit, tea in an earthen cup. This situation illustrates discrimination and shows why the Right to Equality is necessary—to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and fairness.

The practice of untouchability is one of the crudest manifestations of inequality. This has been abolished under the right to equality. The same right also provides that the state shall confer no title on a person except those who excel themselves in military or academic field. Thus right to equality strives to make India a true democracy by ensuring a sense of equality of dignity and status among all its citizens.

Untouchability was a practice that discriminated against certain communities, deeming them as 'unclean' and unworthy of contact with higher castes. The Right to Equality abolished such practices, ensuring that everyone, regardless of caste, is treated equally and with dignity. Moreover, it states that the government cannot grant titles to citizens except for exceptional achievements, reinforcing that all individuals are equal.

Consider a sports competition where every participant is treated equally, and only those showing exceptional skill receive medals. In the same way, the Right to Equality ensures that no one is given a title or reward based on caste or other discriminatory criteria, promoting equality among all individuals.

The Constitution clarifies that the government can implement special schemes and measures for improving the conditions of certain sections of society: children, women, and the socially and educationally backward classes. You may have heard about ‘reservations’ in jobs, and in admissions. You would have wondered why there are reservations if we follow the principle of equality. In fact, Article 16(4) of the constitution explicitly clarifies that a policy like reservation will not be seen as a violation of the right to equality.

The Right to Equality also includes provisions that allow the government to take affirmative actions to help underprivileged groups. This can include reservations in jobs and educational institutions for marginalized communities, ensuring they have a fair chance to compete in society. These provisions are crucial for addressing historical inequalities and are not seen as contradicting equality but rather as necessary steps towards achieving it.

Think of a race where one group has been running slower due to obstacles. To ensure fairness, organizers give them a head start. Similarly, reservations act as a head start for disadvantaged groups to level the playing field, helping them catch up with those who have had societal advantages.

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