Part III of the Indian Constitution deals with the Fundamental Rights guaranteed to the citizens of India. These rights are considered essential for the protection and well-being of individuals and are inspired by principles of equality, justice, and liberty. These fundamental rights are enforceable by the courts, and any law that violates these rights can be declared void.
Here's an overview of the articles under Part III of the Indian Constitution:
**Article 12**: Defines what constitutes a "State" for the purposes of Fundamental Rights. It includes the government and Parliament of India, the government and legislature of each of the states, and all local or other authorities within the territory of India or under the control of the Government of India.
**Article 13**: Prohibits the state from making any law that takes away or abridges the fundamental rights. It also declares that any law that is inconsistent with or in derogation of the fundamental rights is void.
**Article 14**: Guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the law to all individuals. It prevents discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
**Article 15**: Prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. It also allows the state to make special provisions for women and children, and for socially and educationally backward classes.
**Article 16**: Ensures equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. It prohibits discrimination in matters of appointment to public services on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, or residence.
**Article 17**: Abolishes "untouchability" and forbids its practice in any form. It also prohibits the enforcement of any disability arising out of "untouchability."
**Article 18**: Abolishes titles except military and academic distinctions. It prohibits the state from conferring titles and prohibits citizens from accepting titles from foreign states.
**Article 19**: Guarantees certain fundamental rights related to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession. However, these rights are subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by the state in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency, or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to an offense.
**Article 20**: Provides protection against ex post facto laws, double jeopardy, and self-incrimination.
**Article 21**: Guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. It also includes the right to live with dignity and the right to privacy.
**Article 21A**: Ensures the right to education for children between the ages of six and fourteen years.
**Article 22**: Provides safeguards for persons arrested or detained under preventive detention laws.
**Article 23**: Prohibits traffic in human beings and forced labor.
**Article 24**: Prohibits the employment of children under the age of fourteen in hazardous occupations.
**Article 25 to 28**: Guarantee the right to freedom of religion, including the right to profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, and health.
**Article 29 and 30**: Provide for the protection of the interests of minorities, including the right to establish and administer educational institutions.
**Article 31**: Originally dealt with the right to property but was omitted by the 44th Amendment Act in 1978.
These Fundamental Rights are not absolute and can be restricted by the state for various reasons as mentioned in the Constitution. This balance between individual rights and the interests of the state is a significant feature of the Indian Constitution, promoting a harmonious and just society.