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5 Articles

Total Freedom

Art. 19

Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc

You have six powerful freedoms: to speak your mind, to gather peacefully, to form groups and unions, to travel anywhere in India, to live wherever you want, and to practise any profession or business. But these aren't absolute - the government can put reasonable limits on them for things like public order, national security, or decency.

Art. 20

Protection in respect of conviction for offences

Three protections if you're accused of a crime: (1) you can't be punished under a law that didn't exist when you did the act, (2) you can't be punished twice for the same offence, and (3) you can't be forced to be a witness against yourself.

Art. 21

Protection of life and personal liberty

No one can take away your life or personal freedom except through a fair legal process. This is one of the most powerful articles - courts have read it to include the right to live with dignity, privacy, clean air, speedy trial, and much more.

Art. 21A

Right to education

Every child between 6 and 14 years old has the right to free and compulsory education. The government must provide this. This was added by the 86th Amendment in 2002 because education is that important.

Art. 22

Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases

If you're arrested, you must be told why, you must be allowed to consult a lawyer, and you must be brought before a magistrate within 24 hours. There are exceptions for enemy aliens and preventive detention, but even then there are safeguards.

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