Welcome everyone. In our previous video, we have discussed and understood the various facets of Article 24 of the Indian Constitution. In the present video, we will unravel the essence of Article 24 and examine the essential role played by judicial responses in upholding the rights of our youngest citizens, that is, children.
Article 24 of the Constitution of India is a key provision for the rule of law. that addresses the issues of child labor in hazardous occupations. Incident in the Fundamental Rights, Article 24 reflects the constitutional commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of children. This article prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 in the hazardous occupations or engaged in any form of forced labor. Over the years, the Indian judiciary particularly Supreme Court of India has played a dynamic role in interpreting and implementing Article 24, ensuring the protection of children from exploitation and promoting their rights to education and a childhood free from hazardous harm.
Article 24 of the Constitution of India states no child below the age of 14 years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine. or engaged in any other hazardous employment. This provision is aligned with the principles of justice, equality, personal liberty and the welfare of children, aligning with the international conventions and the treaties that advocate for the rights of the child. Child labour prohibition Article 24 unequivocally prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 in certain specified hazardous occupations. This reflects the recognition of the vulnerability of children and the need to safeguard their well-being.
In order to protect the rights of children, Indian legislature has enacted dedicated legislation for the same. Protection of Children's Rights The primary objective of Article 24 is to protect the rights of children by ensuring they are not subjected to exploitative and harmful working conditions. It aligns with international conventions and declarations emphasizing the importance of protecting children from economic exploitation.
Judicial Responses Over the years, the Indian judiciary has been instrumental in interpreting and reinforcing the principles outlined in Article 24. Several landmark cases have contributed to the jurisprudence surrounding child labour and the enforcement of this constitutional provision. M.C. Mehta v. State of Tamil Nadu.
In this case, the Supreme Court issued comprehensive guidelines for the effective implementation of laws prohibiting child labour in hazardous industries. The Court emphasized the need for strict enforcement of these laws and the importance of Rehabilitation for Rescued Child Labourers. Pupils Union for Democratic Rights versus Union of India 1982. The Supreme Court in this case highlighted the constitutional imperative to prevent child labour and protect the fundamental rights of children. The court observed in the aforementioned case that child labour is not only a socio-economic problem but also a constitutional one.
Requiring urgent attention, State of Karnataka v. Uma Devi, 2006. This case dealt with the engagement of contract labor in various establishments. While not directly related to Article 24, the judgment emphasized the importance of protecting the rights and dignity of labor, including child labor. The court's stance on human working conditions resonates with the spirit of Article 24. Bachpan Bachao Andolan v. Union of India 2011. The Supreme Court in this case directed the government to strictly enforce laws against child labour and take effective measures for the rehabilitation of rescued child labourers. The court reiterated the constitutional obligation to protect the rights of children and eliminate the discourage of child labour.
Finally, We can summarize that the article 24 of the constitution of India stands as a testament to the constitution's obligation in protecting the rights of its youngest citizen that is children the judicial responses to cases related to child labor reflect a robust commitment to enforce this constitutional provision the indian judiciary have not only interpreted the law but have also provided comprehensive guidelines for effective execution and the rehabilitation of child laborers as india continues its constant efforts to eliminate child labor and provide a secure and nurturing environment for children the judiciary remains a critical ally in upholding the principles enshrined in article 24 the jurisprudence developed through these cases serves as a beacon for advocacy policy making and collective actions towards ensuring a childhood free from exploitation for every child in the country in fact one indian citizen named kailash satyarthi has won nobel prize for efforts put in eliminating child labor and ensuring child education of such victims in india thank you for watching this video on article 24 and judicial responses and contributing in the elimination of child labor into hazardous work. Let us continue to work for the noble cause of our children, safeguarding their innocence and nurturing a generation that will lead our nation towards a brighter future. In the next upcoming session, we shall have discussion on Article 25 of the Indian Constitution in order to understand the various nuances of Article 25 in detail.